Use of golf carts at car shows needs to be clarified by officials
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Editor:

For the last few years I have been coming to Pigeon Forge twice a year for car shows. As we fill all of the motels and restaurants and the streets with hot rods, we have all noticed that Pigeon Forge hates to see us coming.

First of all, the charges at motels and some restaurants go up ridiculously for the car shows, but I guess that is the American way. I don’t mind paying for food and lodging, because I enjoy the week. I also know that I have a choice to come or not.

Now, for the real beef: The last five years, I have brought a golf cart to ride and enjoy. On Sept. 11, I was crossing the road and a police officer stopped me. I was told to park the cart and not ride it any more. I obeyed.

By the way, my cart is street legal with tag, insurance, horn, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, etc.

As the day went on, I saw carts, some that didn’t have tags or lights, riding the streets and parking lots. I went to see the chief of police. The chief informed me that he could not give me permission to break the law, that it was a state highway. He also said the police could ticket me for riding in parking lots and on private property.

I continued to notice some carts on the four-lane. I saw one cart in particular just like mine, except a different color. Riding in the cart was a retired police officer from Kingsport, Tenn. The chief also informed me that the handicapped scooters like you see in Wal-Mart can ride the highways and parking lots. He told me that the week before they received a call that a person on one of these scooters was coming up the highway at the Spur. Cars were swerving to miss him. All the officer could do was tell the person to be careful.

The chief stated that the two-seated golf carts that you used to be able to rent were not golf carts but electric cars made by Chrysler. These electric cars don’t have a back bumper. How would these vehicles rate in a crash test?

I was told the mayor made a speech at the car show thanking everyone for coming. Maybe he was really thanking us for the revenue.

All I am asking is that the City Council, mayor or police department make a decision on whether we can bring our carts or not. If not, they need to get the political buddies off the street as well.

Jerry Gregory

Opelika, Ala.
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comments (8)
« SteelMagnolia wrote on Thursday, Oct 01 at 02:41 PM »
I take offense that these car show folks are grumbling about hotel and restaurant rates. I hear from a lot of people in those businesses and they don't raise their rates for car shows, but quite frankly, they should! Most of the car show "visitors" don't eat in restaurants other than McDonald's and a few other fast foods. Usually they bring their own food and throw the trash on the sidewalks and streets. The town looks like a bomb has hit when the finally leave. Then those few who do frequent full service restraunts gripe and stiff servers and businesses...many walk out without paying their tabs. Who needs these overbearing bums? Let them go somewhere else because no on makes money on them here. Why can't the country find some better souces of attractions than this?
« mmmc wrote on Tuesday, Sep 29 at 07:59 AM »
you're from 'Bama...lucky they didn't arrest you.GO VOLS!!!!
« Fire Medic wrote on Monday, Sep 28 at 11:22 PM »
As well as the officers responsibility, it's also the paramedics. What if you were on a golf cart in th middle of the parkway and were hit by one of your cronies driving a fully restored '64 Impala? Who do you think would win that match? A 2k pound hunk of metal or a 400 pound peice of plastic? Don't get me wrong, I love to see the shows come to town… just remember people, when you come rodding, don't leave your brains at home… bring them with you. And as far as a registered, tagged vehicle… look where the cart was registered. Not Tennesse.
« zach wood wrote on Thursday, Sep 24 at 01:36 PM »
bicycles are allowed on the roads legally, why not golfcarts?
« Counter Part wrote on Thursday, Sep 24 at 07:37 AM »
There are many things that can be observed on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge that are illegal, immoral and for some strange reason tolerated.
« frank c wrote on Wednesday, Sep 23 at 07:05 PM »
Tn Law

Tenn. Code Ann. § § 55-1-103, 55-4-111, 55-8-101, 55-8-191, and 55-50-102 provide

that medium speed vehicles may be titled and registered in Tennessee if they meet the

requirements outlined in the law. A medium speed vehicle is defined in Tennessee Code

Ann. § 55-1-124, as follows:

“Medium speed vehicle” means any four-wheeled electric or gasoline-powered

vehicle, excluding golf carts, whose top speed is greater than thirty miles per

hour (30 mph), but not greater than thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph),

including neighborhood electric vehicles. Medium speed vehicles must comply

with the standards in 49 CFR 571.500.

The standard contained in 49 CFR 571.500 (Code of Federal Regulations) requires

medium speed vehicles to have basic safety equipment, including head lamps, stop

lamps, front and rear turn signal lamps, tail lamps, reflectors (one red on each side near

the rear and one red on the back), parking brake, one exterior mirror mounted on the

driver’s side of the vehicle and one additional mirror on the passenger side or an interior

mirror, a windshield meeting the standards outlined in 49 CFR 571.205, seat belts (type

1 or 2) located at each designated seating position, and a vehicle identification number

(VIN) that conforms to provisions outlined in 49 CFR 565. The purpose of this standard

is to ensure that medium speed vehicles operated on the public streets, roads, and

highways are equipped with the minimum motor vehicle equipment appropriate for

motor vehicle safety.

« Frank c wrote on Wednesday, Sep 23 at 06:55 PM »
Sorry I believe you are lying about the Chief telling you can not ride on private property. You people come down here and believe we should break laws to allow your carnival atmosphere. You run cars with open headers, slicks or overly raised trucks that have bumper heights well exceeding the legal limit. It is a state highway, read the law. Golf carts are for the golf course or some states do allow you if within a half mile to drive on thee roadway to and from to course. Of course handicapped people can drive in the parking lots but how many do you see driving down the highway ? Being mentally handicapped does not count , so that leaves you out. The police are resposible for you if you are injured for driving an illegal vehicle on the roadway.
« VinceStormes wrote on Wednesday, Sep 23 at 04:06 PM »
I am curious about this as I often see golf carts on the Parkway. I know that the state will license a cart that has the appropriate mirrors, turn signals, and brake/other lights. So if the state allows you to register a cart as a vehicle (and receive a tag), why can it not be driven on the road? Where else would it be driven? Now, is it sensible? That is another question entirely.