Handicap golf carts allowed in Oak Island, dog leash laws changed

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — It was a full house at last night’s Oak Island Town Council meeting as residents sounded off about golf carts used for handicap accessibility.

“Make a long story short, is I need my golf cart,” Larry Carriker said.

Back in 2001, Carriker says he had a stroke that left him disabled, and unable to move around freely.

“Because of my disability, this has been a motorized wheelchair, and they are working to eliminate allowing golf carts to be motorized wheelchairs,” Carriker said.

He says his golf cart is the only way to get on and off the beach.

“The police department had defined golf carts as a legal handicap mobility device,” Oak Island Town Manager Steve Foster said.

But more research led to the discovery it was not legal under state law.

Backlash from residents and a petition led to Tuesday night’s decision to allow unlicensed golf carts used for handicap accessibility, with a few regulations.

Another hot topic issue was unleashed dogs on the beach.

Dogs are now allowed off leash during off season from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Before, they were only allowed off leash from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

“This is a dog-friendly beach, and even people that come down and vacation bring their dogs,” Oak Island resident David Coats said. “As long as your dog is under control, and he is not aggressive or anything of that nature, I think it’s great.”

Foster says in the next few weeks the town will hold a public workshop to discuss rules and regulations for handicap golf carts.