Protect Your Family This Halloween: Golf Cart and E-Scooter Safety in South Carolina

Halloween in South Carolina is a time when neighborhoods buzz with excitement, with kids racing from house to house to trick-or-treat, young teenagers or adults loading up golf carts with friends to ride around the neighborhood, and friends meeting up for house parties that last well into the night. It’s one of those evenings where the streets come alive, and everyone feels a little more connected to their community.

But along with the laughter and spooky fun, Halloween also brings some real safety concerns, especially with so many folks using golf carts and e-scooters to get around. Whether you’re driving a cart around the neighborhood with a group of giggling kids or catching a ride on a scooter between parties, it’s easy to overlook how quickly things can go wrong. Dark roads, distracted drivers, and the holiday rush can increase the frequency of accidents more than you might think.

At Steinberg Law Firm, we’ve seen firsthand how a fun weekend outing can change in an instant. That’s why we want our neighbors in Charleston, Goose Creek, Summerville, and beyond to be aware of the risks, the rules, and how to protect their loved ones in the event of an emergency. Before you pile into the golf cart or hop on an e-scooter this Halloween weekend, here’s what every resident should know.

Halloween Transportation Trends in South Carolina

Golf carts and e-scooters are popular means of transportation. Golf carts are a common sight in neighborhoods around Charleston, Summerville, Goose Creek, Myrtle Beach, and on the coast. In plazas, other walkable communities, and shopping districts, e-scooters have become a popular way to get around. Common brands of e-scooters in SC include Bird, Levy, Lime, and SuperScooter. 

On the other hand, South Carolina residents may choose to rent a golf cart to navigate local areas, such as Myrtle Beach, or visit renowned South Carolina golf courses, including the Country Club of Charleston, Bulls Bay Golf Club, and Kiawah Island Golf Course.

Expect to see e-scooters and golf carts during the 2025 Halloween weekend. They’re likely to appear as residents head out for trick-or-treating in residential neighborhoods, travel efficiently to parties and other events, or meet up with friends at local Charleston restaurants and Charleston bar crawls. Some golf cart and e-scooter owners may even share their festive spirit by decorating their rides. 

The Hidden Risks of Golf Carts and E-Scooters on Halloween Night

Golf carts and e-scooters can offer an easier way to move around to various Charleston Halloween events. Yet, they can also cause risks on the road during this Halloween weekend. Risks may increase because:

• Golf carts and e-scooters are challenging to see, especially in low-light conditions. Costumes can block the vision of golf cart drivers and passengers, e-scooter riders, and pedestrians who may be crossing the roadways.
  
  Also, the driver of a pickup truck or SUV may fail to see a golf cart or e-scooter zip by. These smaller vehicles often lack sufficient lighting to be clearly visible to other drivers on the road. 
  
• Several people can overcrowd a golf cart or an e-scooter. Golf carts are popular because they allow multiple people to ride along, making it easy to travel from one destination to the next. 

Although young adults and teenagers may choose to share an e-scooter for convenience or cost efficiency, there is an increased risk of sustaining multiple injuries if someone falls and hits their head on the road, lands hard on their back, or injures another body part. According to Section 56-2-3070, a moped driver should not carry more than one person at a time, unless stated otherwise by the manufacturer.

• E-scooter riders and golf cart passengers lack protective gear. Golf carts often lack seatbelts, and e-scooter riders may forego helmets while they’re in costume. Regardless, both situations raise the risk of serious head injuries, like traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions.
• Golf cart drivers or electric scooter riders may be struck by another vehicle. Holiday weekends can be filled with fascinating distractions, which pose risks for people on the roads. Distracted driving and drunk driving may unfortunately strike a golf cart or e-scooter rider. 

Being mindful of golf carts, e-scooter riders, and pedestrians on the road is crucial for all drivers this Halloween weekend. If you are a driver, it’s essential to be vigilant for smaller vehicles and practice safe driving. If an accident does occur, it’s best to seek medical attention as soon as possible and schedule a free consultation with the Steinberg Law Firm. Our personal injury attorneys will assess your unique situation and help guide you on the next steps to take. 

South Carolina Laws for Golf Carts and E-Scooters

South Carolina’s recent golf cart laws allow golf carts to use certain streets or highways. The golf cart must be insured and registered with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS). Drivers must be at least 16 years old with a driver’s license, stick to roads with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, and stay within 4 miles of the golf cart’s residence. They are also only allowed to travel during daylight, unless local rules permit their use after dark.

E-scooters capable of reaching speeds up to 25 miles per hour are regulated as mopeds in South Carolina. Riders must have a valid Class D, G, or M driver’s license to ride. If the rider is under age 21, they must also wear a helmet.

Smaller e-scooters fall under South Carolina’s laws for “electric personal assistive mobility devices,” or EPAMDs. According to Section 56-5-3310, e-scooter riders can ride on sidewalks, roads, and bicycle paths if they use due care to avoid colliding with others. They must also give an “audible signal” before passing someone else. Myrtle Beach is currently among South Carolina cities considering stricter ordinances within city limits.

Liability After a Halloween Golf Cart or Scooter Accident

Who is at fault for a golf cart or e-scooter collision? Answers may include the driver of the golf cart or scooter, the cart or scooter’s owner if they allowed an unsafe driver to operate it, or another driver who caused the collision. 

Many golf cart and e-scooter injury cases focus on negligence. Questions asked might include “Did the golf cart or e-scooter driver have a legal duty to use reasonable care to prevent injury?”, “Did the driver fail to meet that duty?”, “Did that failure cause injuries?”, and “Did those injuries result in damages that can be compensated?” 

Navigating insurance negotiations can be challenging to handle on your own. Partnering with an experienced South Carolina personal injury lawyer early on can be beneficial. You focus on getting better, while our team of golf cart injury lawyers and e-scooter accident injury attorneys can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries. 

What to Do If You’re Injured on Halloween Night

If you’re injured while riding a golf cart or e-scooter over the weekend, keep the following steps in mind:

• Get medical care immediately. Call 911 in an emergency. 
• Document the scene: take photos or video, make notes, collect contact information from witnesses. 
• Report the incident to local authorities. Obtaining a police report is crucial to helping your attorney build a compelling case on your behalf.
• Speak to a Charleston personal injury lawyer to understand your legal options. Our attorneys have years of experience helping victims.

If you or a child is injured in a golf cart or scooter accident in South Carolina, Steinberg Law Firm can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.