Happy Independence Day! Fireworks and golf carts are quite prevalent this time of year, and City of Dillon residents are reminded of the laws which govern these two things.
FIREWORKS
The Dillon City Council passed an ordinance limiting the time during which fireworks can be discharged in October 2012.
The ordinance (Ordinance 12-14) came about after the city received complaints about noise resulting from the use of fireworks during the early morning hours.
During the regular days of the year, the public may shoot fireworks between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. on any day of the week. Fireworks may not be discharged from 10 p.m. through 8 a.m.
On certain other days, these times are extended. On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Independence Day Eve, Independence Day (July 4th), Memorial Day, Labor Day, General Election Day, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day, citizens can shoot fireworks from 8 a.m. until 2 a.m. on the following day. Fireworks may not be discharged from 2 a.m. until 8 a.m.
Fireworks that “create excessive loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises” may not be shot at any time near schools or other learning institutions, library, sanatorium, hospital, court in session, or church during services. These places must have a sign displayed indicating what it is.
Violators may be fined up to $500 or not more than 30 days in jail upon conviction. Each day that the ordinance is violated is considered a separate offense, and the punishment will be separate.
GOLF CARTS
Here is a reminder of the laws regarding the operation of golf carts:
SECTION 56-2-105. Golf cart permit and the operation of a golf cart.
(A) For the purpose of this section, “gated community” means any homeowners’ community with at least one access-controlled ingress and egress which includes the presence of a guard house, mechanical barrier, or another method of controlled conveyance.
(B) An individual or business owner of a vehicle commonly known as a gold cart may obtain a permit decal and registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles upon presenting proof of ownership and liability insurance for the gold cart and upon payment of a five dollar fee.
(1) During daylight hours only, a permitted golf cart may be operated within four miles of the address on the registration certificate and only a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less.
(2) During daylight hours only, a permitted golf cart may be operated within four miles of a point of ingress and egress to a gated community and only on a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles and hour or less.
(3) During daylight hours only, within four miles of the registration holder’s address, and while traveling along a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less, a permitted golf cart may cross a highway or street at an intersection where the highway has a posted speed limit of more that thirty-five miles an hour.
(4) During daylight hours only, a permitted golf cart may be operated along a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less on an island not accessible by a bridge designed for use by automobiles.
(C) A person operating a permitted golf cart must be at least sixteen years of age and hold a valid driver’s license. The operator of a permitted golf cart being operated on a highway or street must have in his possession:
(1) the registration certificate issued by the department;
(2) proof of liability insurance for the golf cart; and
(3) his driver’s license.
(D) (1) A golf cart permit must be replaced with a new permit every five years, or at the time of the permit holder changes his address.
(2) Golf cart owners holding golf cart permits on or before October 1, 2012, will have until September
30, 2015, to obtain a replacement permit.
(E) A political subdivision may, on designated streets or roads within the political subdivision’s jurisdiction, reduce the area in which a permitted golf cart may operate from four miles to no less than two miles. However, a political subdivision may not reduce or otherwise amend the other restrictions placed on the operation of a permitted golf cart contained in this section.
(F) The provisions of this section that restrict the use of golf cart to certain streets, certain hours, and certain distances shall not apply to a golf cart used by a public safety agency in connection with the performance of its duties.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 177, Section 1, eff October 1, 2012.
SECTION 56-2-110. Driver’s license and registration card.
A person operating a low speed vehicle must be at least sixteen years of age and shall hold a valid driver’s license. The operator of a low speed vehicle operated on a highway must have in his possession:
(1) the registration card issued by the department or the registration card issued by the state in which the low speed vehicle is registered; and
(2) his driver’s license.
These laws are enforced by our local law enforcement agencies.
