Hip Restraints

Tom47

Here in Georgia, the golf cart laws can be hard to decipher. The law calls for "hip restraints" for each passenger.

Some have interpreted this to mean seat belts are required. Doing a search for hip restraints shows the standard arm rest type on each seat.

I can hardly wait for the first LEO who stops me to check for my seat belts!

BGW

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Kashmir

I thought seat belts were REQUIRED in all states fro LSV's.

dannyre

Seat belts and hip restraints (standard on most carts) are totally different items, but Kasmir is correct, most street carts must have seat belts....might want to check that.

Tom47

Possibly the case here, but there are hundreds of carts on the roads here that are without seatbelts. Most don't have running lights or strobes. Most do have the triangle.

I'll do some research before I get serious about riding on the roads. I am talking about residential areas, off the main drag.

Thanks for the replies!

Tom47

Some clarification maybe? In Georgia there are classifications for LSV and PTV which is a personal transportation vehicle. It appears I may be covered as shown below:

Georgia – 'Personal transportation vehicle' means any motor vehicle: (A) With a
minimum of four wheels; (B) Capable of a maximum level ground speed of less than 20
miles per hour; (C) With a maximum gross vehicle unladen or empty weight of 1,375
pounds; and (D) Capable of transporting not more than eight persons. The term does
not include mobility aids, including power wheelchairs and scooters, that can be used
indoors and outdoors for the express purpose of enabling mobility for a person with a
disability. The term also does not include any all-terrain vehicle.28
(a) This part shall have no application to any county or municipality that has enacted
prior to January 1, 2012, an ordinance authorizing the operation of motorized carts
pursuant to Code Section 40-6-331.29 (b) In addition to the requirements contained in
27 http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/0062 28 O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1(43.1). S.B. 240 effective January 1, 2012. 29 "Motorized cart" means every motor vehicle having no less than three wheels and an unladen weight of
1,300 pounds or less and which cannot operate at more than 20 miles per hour. O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1(32).
[“Motorized Cart” is the term formerly used for “Personal Transportation Vehicle” or “PTV”]. (a) A local
governing authority may, by ordinance, designate certain public streets or portions thereof that are under
its regulation and control for the combined use of motorized carts and regular vehicular traffic or the use
of motorized carts and no other types of motor vehicles and establish the conditions under which
motorized carts may be operated upon such streets or portions thereof, including without limitation the
conditions under which a person may operate motorized carts on such designated streets or portions
thereof without a driver's license. (b) Such ordinances may establish operating standards but shall not
require motorized carts to meet any requirements of general law as to registration, inspection, or
licensing; provided, however, that a local governing authority may, by ordinance, require the local
registration and licensing of such carts operated within its boundaries for a fee not to exceed $15.00, the
license to remain permanently with such cart unless such cart is sold or the license is destroyed. The
provisions of this subsection and the authority granted by this subsection shall not apply to motorized
carts owned by golf courses, country clubs, or other such organized entities which own such carts and
make them available to members or the public on a rental basis, provided that such motorized carts are
used only on the premises of such golf courses, country clubs, or other such organized entities.(c)
Copyright 2013 International Light Transportation Vehicle Association, Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia Page 10
paragraph (43.1) of Code Section 40-1-1, all personal transportation vehicles shall have
the following equipment: (1) A braking system sufficient for the weight and passenger
capacity of the vehicle, including a parking brake; (2) A reverse warning device
functional at all times when the directional control is in the reverse position; (3) A main
power switch. When the switch is in the 'off' position, or the key or other device that
activates the switch is removed, the motive power circuit shall be inoperative. If the
switch uses a key, it shall be removable only in the 'off' position; (4) Head lamps; (5)
Reflex reflectors; (6) Tail lamps; (7) A horn; ( A rearview mirror; (9) Safety warning
labels; and (10) Hip restraints and hand holds.30

Apparently seatbelts are only required in LSV's. Who knows for sure though? Florida is a lot stricter it appears so I'll stay north of the border!

tag50

Hip restraints may mean seat belts without the shoulder strap.


.

Mooncarter

Maybe what we call "lap belts" around here in VA, without shoulder harness?

dundeebarnbuggy

Unless you have a full cage, seat belts are more dangerous than none. In a crash you don't want a 900# "brick" strapped to your *** when you go flying! Up here golf carts are still illegal but they are trying to enforce the seatbelt law on farm tractors. But any tractor without a ROPS [rollbar] you don't wear one cause you will get pinned under it in the case of a rollover.

dannyre

Two sets of rules here, one set for east end of the island (in town), and one set for the west end of the island, mainly residential.


All carts:

All golf carts must be equipped with the following minimum safety equipment to be eligible for a registration permit:

Slow Moving Vehicle Sign

•Operational headlamps

•Operational tail lamps

•Side reflectors

•Operational parking brake

•Rearview mirror(s)


In town use adds these requirements:

Turn signals

•Horn

•Brake lights

•Seat belts

dundeebarnbuggy

I'd question that bylaw. Do ATVs or motorcycles require seat belts where you live too? You odds of surviving a crash in any of the above are a lot better if the vehicle is not on top of you.