Sheriff's Office Warns of Illegal Golf Cart Use

The Cherokee Sheriff's Office is reaching out to the public to advise them of the proper uses of golf carts. 

In response to numerous complaints, the agency is launching a public advisory campaign to inform residents about the laws and restrictions on golf cart uses in Georgia. 

Some of the complaints the agency has received include: 

• Near miss accidents with motor vehicles.
• Reckless operation of golf carts.
  Unsafe operational practices such as multiple passengers hanging off the side of the golf carts. 
• Driving golf carts from golf cart paths across highways to shopping centers,
• Operation of golf carts at night with no lights or other means to warn other drivers of their presence. 
• Operating the golf carts with their hands off the steering wheel.
• Golf carts racing each other creating dangerous conditions for other motorists.

The Sheriff's Office reiterates to the public that the operation of golf carts and other similar motorized vehicles by unlicensed drivers on streets and highway is against the law. 

Also, anyone who allows a person to unlawfully to operate a golf cart similar vehicle is in violation of the law and, in addition to prosecution if injury to another person were to occur, that person could be subject to civil liability. 

Georgia Code 40-1-1 spells out the definitions, laws and requirements of operating motor vehicles in the state. 

“Sheriff (Roger) Garrison has a long standing tradition of asking for voluntary compliance of the law from the citizens of the county," said Lt. Col. Ron Hunton. "Our mission is to address quality of life issues by protecting life safety and property preservation. We recognize the difficult financial times we live in and we do not wish to cause any more financial hardships upon our citizens. It is our hope that incidents of unlawful operation of golf carts in the county are just a result of lack of correct information."

Hunton went on to say he and the agency hopes residents will educate themselves on the hazards and Georgia law regarding golf carts. 

"We do not want to have to issue citations, and we do not want to impound golf carts," he added. "However, if that is what it takes to make our roadways safe for the motoring public and for pedestrian traffic, this is exactly what we will do.”

Anyone who has questions about operating golf carts and similar motorized vehicles can call (770) 928-0239.