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Police advisory board backs state golf‑cart bill and will review city ordinance language
Summary
The Clemson City Police Advisory Board voted to ask City Council to support a refiled state bill that would allow municipalities to permit golf carts to operate at night; members acknowledged remaining local ordinance details, including lighting and safety standards, must be addressed if the bill passes.
The Clemson City Police Advisory Board on Jan. 23 voted to request the Clemson City Council support a refiled state bill that would expand municipalities’ ability to allow golf carts to operate at night.
Board members discussed the bill’s change to current state code that removes a population threshold and extends authority to counties and municipalities generally. The draft text before the board would allow municipalities to permit golf carts at night “provided the golf cart is equipped with working headlights and rear lights,” but members and staff raised concerns that the bill does not import federal vehicle lighting standards that apply to low‑speed vehicles and passenger vehicles.
A staff member explained those lighting and visibility standards, set by federal law, require lights to illuminate and be visible over specified distances; the bill’s current text does not adopt those federal standards for golf carts. The speaker said the City could address more detailed safety requirements in a local ordinance should the state law change.
After discussion, board member Sandy Edge moved that the advisory board refer the bill to City Council asking the council to support it; the motion was seconded, members voted by show of hands, and the motion passed. No individual vote tallies were recorded on the transcript.
Board members agreed to continue work on a local draft ordinance. Staff said the university had delayed providing policy input until after football season and that the advisory board will revisit draft ordinance language, with members asked to review the text before the next meeting.
The advisory board placed the ordinance on next month’s agenda to allow members time to suggest amendments to lighting, equipment and permit provisions if the state bill advances.
