From Kip Bonnell
Hope
In recent years, communities across the country have seen a surge in the use of golf carts on public roads. While these vehicles offer convenience for short trips, it’s crucial to understand that not all small, four-wheeled vehicles are created equal. When it comes to safety, legality, and overall design for public streets, Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs) are the superior—and more responsible—choice.
At first glance, a golf cart and an LSV may appear similar. Both are compact, electric or gas-powered, and ideal for short-distance travel. But beneath the surface, their differences are significant—and potentially lifesaving.
A traditional golf cart is built for the course, not the curb. With minimal safety features and a typical top speed of 15-20 mph, golf carts lack the structural requirements and protections needed for navigating neighborhood streets or sharing the road with full-sized vehicles. Most golf carts are not equipped with seat belts, mirrors, turn signals, or even proper headlights. They aren’t crash tested, nor are they designed to protect passengers in the event of a collision.
Enter the Low-Speed Vehicle: a purpose-built alternative that bridges the gap between convenience and compliance. LSVs, by federal law, are designed to travel up to 25 mph and must include essential safety features like seat belts, windshields, mirrors, turn signals, brake lights, headlights, and a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Many are also equipped with reinforced frames, improved suspension, and better braking systems, making them far more capable of handling residential and low-traffic roadways.
Critics may argue that golf carts are cheaper or that upgrading them to “look” street-ready is a simple fix. As a golf cart company owner, I can say outfitting a golf cart with after-market parts doesn’t make it a legal LSV. Without proper certification and safety compliance, these modifications are just cosmetic—and potentially dangerous. In contrast, LSVs are engineered from the ground up with safety and legal use in mind, offering peace of mind to drivers, passengers, and the communities they operate in.
Furthermore, LSVs provide an environmentally friendly option for local transportation. Electric models produce zero emissions and operate quietly, reducing neighborhood noise and air pollution. Their increasing availability and affordability make them an appealing option for families, retirees, and even local businesses.
As cities and neighborhoods weigh the pros and cons of permitting small vehicles on public roads, the line between convenience and safety must not be blurred. Golf carts belong on fairways, not freeways. When it comes to public streets, Low-Speed Vehicles are the only responsible choice.
For the safety of our families, neighbors, and communities, and as a golf cart company owner, let’s support policies and practices that encourage the use of street-legal, safety-certified LSVs—and leave golf carts where they were designed to roam — on the greens.
