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Clemmons receives update on golf cart use; enforcement under state statute discouraged local ordinance
Summary
Lieutenant Chatham explained that North Carolina statutes (referenced in the meeting as "13 a 2 45") cover low-speed vehicles and that enforcement typically uses state law; officers will usually educate families, return carts to parents and only escalate to juvenile petitions or court in severe or repeated cases.
The Village of Clemmons received an informational update on golf-cart use and enforcement during the July 14 meeting.
Lieutenant Chatham told council that North Carolina general statutes (referenced in the meeting as “13 a 2 45”) govern low-speed vehicles and set standards such as daytime-only operation, a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour, operation on roads posted 35 mph or lower, and required equipment such as windshields, reflectors, brakes, headlights and mirrors. He said adopting a town ordinance would not help because the general statute is easier to enforce and better known to judges.
Chatham said the village had received two complaints from separate neighborhoods and that most summertime activity involves travel to and from pools. He described the common enforcement approach: officers typically speak with children and parents and arrange for parents to pick up and remove the cart rather than arresting minors; persistent or severe cases could lead to a juvenile petition, though juvenile courts are busy since the raise-the-age law. He cited extreme examples of injuries in golf-cart incidents elsewhere to underscore risks but said local enforcement usually focuses on education and family intervention.
Chatham advised residents to call police if they observe unsafe operation. The transcript does not reference any ordinance change or formal council direction on golf-cart regulation.
