Sergeant Rob King of the Hyde County Sheriff’s Department reported the following incidents from June 16 to July 15:
Larceny charges were lodged against two juveniles who stole two golf carts from Wheelie Fun Golf Carts and were caught entering the village from the north on Highway 12. The owner elected not to press charges after speaking with the youths and their parents.
There was one motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle that hit sand on the roadway at the northern edge of the washout area of Highway 12.
There was one DUI.
Deputies assisted the Coast Guard and the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department with a small sailboat that had capsized 200 yards offshore from the NPS boat ramp and assisted Park Service and OVFD for two vehicle fires: one in the NPS campground and the other on Ramp 72.
“In June, we focused heavily on speed enforcement within the village and through the 35 mph zone in the sandbag area of NC12,” King said.
Deputies issued numerous citations for speeding through this area.
They also focused on underage golf-cart driving, stopping many suspected underage drivers.
“We found three juveniles under the age of 16 to be driving golf carts,” King said.
Each owner of a golf car is reminded that golf carts are considered motor vehicles by the state of North Carolina and NCGS 153A-245 prohibits persons less than 16 years of age from operating a golf cart on a public street, road or highway.
Deputies stopped three juveniles on e-bikes that did not have pedals.
In addition to the above, the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department responded to a suspected electrical fire and a leaking gas tank at a house. There were three false alarms and three medevacs.
The Hyde County Sheriff’s Department re-iterates golf carts and E-bike rules on Ocracoke. The code is online here under chapter 34:
Ordinance #2009-09-01 Pertaining to the use of golf carts in Hyde County.
Section 1
Every golf cart operating on any public street, road or highway within Hyde County where the speed limit is 35 mph or less, or upon property owned or leased by Hyde County, shall have the following equipment in working condition, which shall be used as provided:
- Two headlamps which shall be used in accordance with NCGS 20-129(a) which shall comply with the specifications set forth in NCSG 20-131
B. Two rear lamps which shall exhibit a red light plainly visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of 500 feet, and shall be used in accordance with NCSG 20-129(a)
C. A seat permanently mounted upon the frame of said golf cart for each occupant of the golf cart.
Section 2
The operator of a golf cart who is transporting a child less than 8 years of age and less than 80 pounds shall have that child passenger secured in a weight appropriate child passenger restraint system in accordance with NCGS 20-137.1
Section 3
The operator of a golf cart shall cause each passenger being transported to be seated in a seat meeting the requirements of subsection 1.C. hereof.
Section 4
Each owner of a golf car is reminded that NCGS 153A-245 prohibits persons less than 16 years of age from operating a golf cart on a public street, road, or highway.
Golf carts are considered motor vehicles by the state of North Carolina and the same rules applying to DUI apply to golf carts as well. Plan ahead and have a sober driver. Do not drink and drive.
Golf carts must be driven on roadway’s in the same manner as any other motor vehicle. This means driving within the proper lanes of travel. This means do not drive in the bike lanes or on the shoulder of the roadway. If you would like to let a vehicle behind you pass, please pull completely off the roadway in a safe location, come to a complete stop and let the vehicle/vehicles pass, then re-enter the roadway in a safe manner.
Golf carts are not toys. “We expect any and all operators and passengers to drive/ride in a safe and respectable manner,” King said. “Every year we see multiple serious injuries related to golf carts.” These are generally caused by the same few actions:
–Driving impaired/riding impaired. Impaired drivers crash golf carts or an impaired passenger may pass out and cause a passenger to fall out when the cart turns.
–Failure to secure children properly or lap riding.
King cautioned against reckless driving on golf carts:
“The most innocent of all: an item (generally a hat) flies off the rear passenger’s head. That passenger then makes the mistake of stepping off the back of the cart. Causing a collision of physics. The passenger steps off and their body continues moving at the same speed as the golf cart. Unfortunately, that is the opposite direction they are trying to go. Their feet will hit the pavement, causing them to fall backwards and smack the back of their head on the pavement.
Common injuries from this type of fall include concussion, brain bleed, traumatic brain injury, and, unfortunately, death.”
E-bikes
- Rules pertaining to E-bikes include the following:
- It must have operable pedals
- A motor of 750 watts or less
- Maximum speed of 20mph
- Helmets for all riders under 16
- When riding at night they are required to have a front white light visible from 300 feet and a rear red reflector or light visible from 200 feet
- Must ride with the flow of traffic and abide by all North Carolina traffic laws.
Please stop the utv’s and side by sides before it gets out of control. One and we saw several on the streets, came up behind us, followed to close and loud music thumping. They really don’t belong on the island. These are ORV and off road means just that off road.
Crosswalks at high traffic spots, Community Square, Jolly Roger & Smacs. More 15 mph speed limit signs throughout village, especially at the Community Square.