GALVESTON, A suspected drunk driver ended four lives, including two children, in early August, having many cities like South Padre Island re-examining their golf cart ordinances.
Like SPI, Galveston experienced what many call an explosion of golf carts as they became more popular among businesses.
According to Galveston Mayor Craig Brown, around 1,750 motorized carts are registered with the city for use by either residents or businesses.
Ordinances about operating on public roadways became a sensitive subject after lack of enforcement played a role leading to the collision.
The sensitive topic is the lack of enforcement in both Galveston and SPI. In the article by the Houston Public Media, golf cart owners admit to the difficulties golf carts have unleashed. "It's a big mess that's been going on for a while, a big struggle," Galveston golf cart business owner Tiffany Gibson said. "Here we are. I hate to say it, but it was almost inevitable."
The tragedy resonates beyond Galveston and has sent ripples to local communities like South Padre Island, which face similar problems. Brown called the collision "a wake-up call" for the communities, not only in tourist environments, but also in communities that use golf carts, e-bikes, and e-scooters.
During this time, Brown brought up a highly ignored predicament: It's illegal under Texas law to operate a golf cart on a public street after dark, and nobody knows since it's not on city ordinances.
Gibbons stated that city officials told golf cart rental businesses that the additional revenue created by the increased fee would ramp up enforcement of golf-cart traffic laws. She says she hasn't seen evidence of enforcement and prefers enforcing existing state and city laws before expanding regulations.
Two South Padre Island City Councilmen (Ken Medders and Kerry Schwartz) are called for a review of the current SPI ordinances to follow to bring them up to the standards of state law. They are facing pushback from private golf cart owners and business owners about changing the status quo.
