A bill allowing golf carts on South Dakota’s highways is deferred while the sponsor works out a possible amendment. The Senate Transportation Committee took testimony on SB 135 this morning (Feb. 3, 2023).
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Herman Otten of Tea, says he owns a golf cart. Under his bill, golf carts would be allowed on the shoulder or to the far right of the driving lane. They would not be allowed on Interstate highways.
Current state law allows municipalities to permit golf carts within their city limits if they choose to do so.
Maj. Joel Peterson, assistant superintendent of the S.D. Highway Patrol, spoke against the bill, citing safety concerns. However, Otten said the state currently allows numerous other slow-moving objects, such as horses and buggies, tractors, and bicycles, on the state’s highways. Most golf carts cannot go faster than 25 miles per hour.
The committee decided to defer the bill while Otten works with another Senator to amend the measure.
The Senate Transportation Committee meets again Wednesday (Feb. 8, 2023).
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