With school out and summer underway, City of Wessington Springs residents have taken to the streets — on foot, bicycles, UTVs and golf carts. While city officials and the Jerauld County Sheriff Department encourage residents to enjoy the abundant recreational opportunities Wessington Springs has to offer, the entities also remind residents to obey laws when it comes to golf carts on city streets and state highways.
In response to a variety of golf cart-related safety issues recently reported to the sheriff department and city, the city reminds community members of the ordinance that requires the permitting of golf carts, in effect since October 31, 2017.
Ordinance #791, Title 10 - Traffic Code, Chapter 11 - Golf Carts states that in order to obtain a golf cart permit, the golf cart owner must adhere to the following requirements:
• The golf cart must be insured for liability (the city encourages golf cart owners to contact their insurance agent for proof of insurance)
• The person operating the golf cart must hold a valid driver’s license
• The golf cart must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem (in accordance with SDCL 32-15-20 or a white or amber warning light in accordance with SDCL 32-17-46.)
Locally, slow-moving vehicle emblems can be purchased at Amkota.
Permits cost $20 annually and the registration sticker (shown above) must be affixed in a visible location upon the exterior of the golf cart. Additionally, golf carts can be operated one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
“The ordinance has been put in place by the city and state to avoid traffic hazards and help everyone stay safe,” said Jerauld County Sheriff Jason Weber. “With people heading outside with their golf carts, we encourage residents to purchase their permit and remind them that we will enforce the law.”
The penalty for violating the ordinance is punishable by a fine of up to $500. Additionally, golf cart operators must abide by all city, county and state traffic rules that apply to motor vehicles, except that a golf cart isn’t required to have a bell, horn or directional signals. Also, it is unlawful for more than two people to occupy the front seat of the golf cart while it is in motion.
When it comes to highway travel, according to SDCL 32-14-15.1. Golf cart--Limited operation on highway, “any person may operate a golf cart on a state or county highway if the posted speed limit is twenty-five miles per hour or less. Nothing in this section relieves golf cart operators of any statutory requirements associated with motor vehicle operation within this state.”
Permits can be obtained at Wessington Springs City Hall during regular business hours.