According to this article on NWA News, a town in Benton County has a law prohibiting the use of golf carts on public roads. In the past, there have been complaints of golfers using public roads as shortcuts during their rounds of golf.

Now what kind of law is this? Tractors can drive on the roads, golf course personnel can drive on the roads. Yet, since the golf course doesn’t give the golfers permission to go on the roads, it is considered illegal. Anyone driving a golf cart on the road can receive a citation if an officer witnesses it, and can be held liable for any accident that they may become a part of. The citation carries a fine of $50 and a court fee of $75.

Driving alongside the road, on the other hand, is acceptable.

If I was ever in Benton County, and I felt the need or desire to take a golf cart to the road, I would. The chances of getting caught are so slim, and the penalties so light, that it seems like a non-issue. There are plenty of legal and/or illegal actions which people do everyday that carry more risk than this law.

The article does mention that complaints from drivers have declined every year this law has been in effect. As for 2005, there have been no reported complaints. However, it is unclear whether people are actually staying off the road when in golf carts, or drivers just don’t care.