New golf cart law set to take effect in Bluffton in January

BLUFFTON, S.C. (WTOC) - Golf cart owners in Bluffton will have to abide by a new law starting next month.

The town council recently passed new regulations for golf carts in an effort to improve public safety.

Since 2024, there have been six golf cart accidents in Bluffton.

In several of those cases, people were seriously injured and weren’t wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

A problem the police department is still seeing.

“There have been so many times where we have seen drivers with little kids on their laps or other kids hanging off the back of the golf cart,” Bluffton Police Chief Joe Babkiewicz said. “It’s just not safe for them to do that.”

Under the new law, everyone in the golf cart will be required to wear a seatbelt, and the driver must have a driver’s license.

“We just make sure they enjoy golf carts, that’s it’s a great mode of transportation for them, but that they are safe doing so,” Chief Babkiewicz said.

The law will also allow golf carts to drive at night if they have the appropriate equipment.

Like headlights, turn signals, and rear-view mirrors, which in most golf carts are already installed along with seatbelts, but in some cases, they may need to be updated.

Robert Gourlay owns Olde Towne Golf Cars in Bluffton that sells and services golf carts.

He says he hasn’t seen a rush of people looking to get their carts updated yet, but wouldn’t be surprised if he does soon.

“I anticipate that there’s going to be a greater demand for us to install seatbelts,” Gourlay said.

Gourlay has been in business for 14 years in Bluffton and says that the golf carts they sell emphasize safety.

Coming equipped with everything someone may need, some of the newer models even abide by the recently passed Hands-Free Law.

“We give you a little microphone, and you get wireless charging that you just leave your phone right there, just like you do in your car,” Gourlay said.

Another portion of the new law is that golf carts cannot travel on roads with a speed limit above 35 miles per hour and will not be allowed to drive on four-lane roads unless they are crossing an intersection. They also will not be able to drive through traffic circles or roundabouts.

Officials in Bluffton are giving people 30-45 days to make the necessary changes to their carts before enforcing the law.

“We also are going to have some educational campaigns going out to the community about how to safely drive these golf carts and what to look out for,” Chief Babkiewicz said.

If someone is found breaking the new laws, they could face up to a month in jail or be forced to pay nearly $500 in fines.