Some in Columbia use golf carts like cars. City considers rules to curb the practice

Driving golf carts on public streets may soon have a lot more rules attached. The Columbia City Council is considering banning the use of for-hire golf carts and putting new rules on the private use of golf carts in public spaces.

“The unregulated operation of golf carts on the streets of the city is and would continue to be detrimental to the safety of the public,” reads an ordinance being considered by the council. “It is in the public interest, and for the public safety and welfare, that the streets in the city and the users thereof be protected from unregulated vehicles that hinder travel or pose dangers or distractions that give rise to accidents and inconvenience.”

The City Council held a special meeting Tuesday to discuss a draft ordinance outlining the potential law. The ordinance specifically notes safety concerns with businesses using golf carts as taxis and offering rides for hire, but it also looks to put limits on personal golf carts that are often used on public roads. The ordinance would specifically ban golf cart taxi rides.

Golf carts for personal use would have to be permitted and would only be allowed to be used within four miles of the owner’s address and only on secondary highways or streets where the speed limit is 35 mph or less.

No one under 16 would be allowed to operate the golf carts, and they would have to have liability insurance. Other rules in the ordinance would prohibit more than one golf cart driving in a single lane of traffic, and would mandate that passengers sit in designated seats.

The golf carts would be prohibited on roads before sunrise or after sunset.

Anyone violating the proposed rules would be subject to a misdemeanor charge and a fine up to $500. The city could also take possession of the golf cart owned by the person found to be violating the rules.

The council held a brief discussion on the proposal but ultimately deferred the decision to see whether the issue would be addressed at the state level.

Mayor Daniel Rickenmann said there are “clear safety concerns” specifically with the commercial use of golf carts as taxis. He said if the state does not act he believes the city will move forward with its own ordinance.