Want to drive your golf cart at night? Soon you could

With the summer right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to cruise around town in a golf cart.

Now, thanks to the passage of a bill co-sponsored by S.C. Rep. Bill Herbkersman of Bluffton, the fun doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down.

Earlier this week Gov. Nikki Haley signed into law a measure that allows golf cart drivers to use local roads at night so long as local municipalities are on-board and the cart is equipped with front and rear lights.

A similar proposal failed in the Senate last legislative session.

Herbkersman said earlier this week during a meeting of Beaufort County’s Legislative Delegation that the measure, which allows cart driving on secondary roads with speed limits 35 mph or less, was developed request of local municipalities.

Bluffton town leaders have long supported giving more leeway to golf cart drivers, arguing that more cart usage will help reduce traffic and parking problems in areas such as Old Town.

“In general, (expanded opportunities for golf cart drivers) is something that we have always wanted,” Bluffton mayor Lisa Sulka said Wednesday. “I’m just thrilled.”

In Old Town, visitors “come by golf cart during the day, then by car at night,” she said. “Giving people the opportunity to get around town at night on golf carts should definitely help with some of the parking issues.”

Before cart drivers can start legally cruising at night, Beaufort County officials must “begin the process of communicating with the municipalities about designating by ordinance which areas would be allowed for driving golf carts at night,” S.C. Rep. Weston Newton, a co-sponsor of the bill, said earlier this week.

While no date has been set for the county and municipalities to set specific parameters for cart driving, Herbkersman said he trusts that “no one is going to be dragging their feet on this.”

Beaufort County attorney Tom Keaveny said Wednesday that he expects the County Council to take up the issue in the next month or two.

Local golf cart retailers aren’t waiting around — they’re preparing for a rush of customers who want their carts tricked out with lights and other features.

“We have already ordered a lot of light kits just to keep in stock,” Damian Gourlay, owner of Three D Golf Car in Bluffton said Wednesday.

He said he’s heard other cart sellers are following suit.

Gourlay echoed Sulka’s sentiment regarding cart usage as a potential solution for Old Town parking woes.

“Our parking situation is crazy. If you have a golf cart you can get in and out (of the historic district) easily, and you’re not taking up as much space when you park,” he said.

“I really feel like (state lawmakers) heard us and helped us out,” he said. “People have always been driving (carts) at night. Its going to be good to be able to do it without worrying about breaking the law.”

This story was originally published June 8, 2016 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Want to drive your golf cart at night? Soon you could."