Heads up on Public Safety

Wednesday’s editorial takes note of several public-safety developments, including a lawmakers’ decision against expanding the legal range golf carts can be driven.

Legislators who wanted to expand the range of golf carts on public roads evidently were paying attention to safety concerns expressed before the transportation subcommittee. The bill’s chief sponsor, Rep. Tom Young, R-Aiken, and co-sponsor Don Smith, R-Aiken, say the safety concerns changed their minds and the bill will not advance in this session. A different bill is before the Senate Transportation Committee, but it does not expand the distance golf carts can travel on public roads from a home or business.

The law permits licensed drivers to operate a golf cart on a secondary highway only within two miles of their homes or businesses. Young’s bill would have expanded the distance to five miles. Golf carts may cross but not operate on primary highways such as U.S. 17. Mark Keel, director of the Department of Public Safety, expressed several concerns when Young’s bill was heard by the House transportation subcommittee. He and other legislators have pointed out the disparity in size, weight, speed and so forth between a golf cart and the vehicles they encounter on secondary roads. Standard safety equipment (turn signals, brake lights, horns) would be reason enough not to expand the use of golf carts, even in daylight hours. Young says he had no problem changing his mind after hearing the safety concerns and “the right thing to do is pull the bill and get additional feedback.”

Here at the beach, any motorist who has driven by, around and behind golf carts – many illegally driven by children – can attest to the public safety dangers. Young’s bill seemed aimed at allowing folks more distance to go to the grocery store or medical appointments, and he perhaps had not considered the use of golf carts by vacationing families going to the beach or sightseeing. Myrtle Beach police say the biggest problem officers see is underage drivers, not golf carts beyond the two-mile limit. All legal operators of golf carts – and the firms who rent them to visitors – need to take seriously the law requiring a driver’s license to operate a golf cart on city streets. It not OK for your preteen grandson to take the wheel.

Weather awareness | South Carolina’s annual statewide tornado drill will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, an important part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, sponsored by the S.C. Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service. The point of the drill is to test communications systems and safety procedures that help keep people safe during tornadoes.

Hurricanes, starting in June, are the big weather story along the coasts of the Carolinas, but severe storms, tornadoes and flash floods are “significant hazards in South Carolina and people need to take proper safety precautions.” That’s the word from Derrec Becker, public information coordinator for the S.C. Emergency Management Division.

Wildfire prevention | The S.C. Forestry Commission is also on full awareness about safe yard debris burning. Wildfire season continues through the early weeks of spring. The huge wildfires last April in Horry County are a cautionary note about the risks of burning. Only vegetation – leaves, twigs, pine needles – may be burned. S.C. requires the homeowner/landowner to notify the Forestry Commission. Here are the phone numbers: Georgetown County: 1-800-986-5256. Horry County: 1-800-986-5404.

The law permits licensed drivers to operate a golf cart on a secondary highway only within two miles of their homes or businesses. Young’s bill would have expanded the distance to five miles. Golf carts may cross but not operate on primary highways such as U.S. 17. Mark Keel, director of the Department of Public Safety, expressed several concerns when Young’s bill was heard by the House transportation subcommittee. He and other legislators have pointed out the disparity in size, weight, speed and so forth between a golf cart and the vehicles they encounter on secondary roads. Standard safety equipment (turn signals, brake lights, horns) would be reason enough not to expand the use of golf carts, even in daylight hours. Young says he had no problem changing his mind after hearing the safety concerns and “the right thing to do is pull the bill and get additional feedback.”

Here at the beach, any motorist who has driven by, around and behind golf carts – many illegally driven by children – can attest to the public safety dangers. Young’s bill seemed aimed at allowing folks more distance to go to the grocery store or medical appointments, and he perhaps had not considered the use of golf carts by vacationing families going to the beach or sightseeing. Myrtle Beach police say the biggest problem officers see is underage drivers, not golf carts beyond the two-mile limit. All legal operators of golf carts – and the firms who rent them to visitors – need to take seriously the law requiring a driver’s license to operate a golf cart on city streets. It not OK for your preteen grandson to take the wheel.

Weather awareness | South Carolina’s annual statewide tornado drill will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, an important part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, sponsored by the S.C. Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service. The point of the drill is to test communications systems and safety procedures that help keep people safe during tornadoes.

Hurricanes, starting in June, are the big weather story along the coasts of the Carolinas, but severe storms, tornadoes and flash floods are “significant hazards in South Carolina and people need to take proper safety precautions.” That’s the word from Derrec Becker, public information coordinator for the S.C. Emergency Management Division.

Wildfire prevention | The S.C. Forestry Commission is also on full awareness about safe yard debris burning. Wildfire season continues through the early weeks of spring. The huge wildfires last April in Horry County are a cautionary note about the risks of burning. Only vegetation – leaves, twigs, pine needles – may be burned. S.C. requires the homeowner/landowner to notify the Forestry Commission. Here are the phone numbers: Georgetown County: 1-800-986-5256. Horry County: 1-800-986-5404.