writing four: the golf cart capital of the world

Michelle Snavely
Lit/Comp 11
Mr. Siegmund
1st block

Peachtree City, Georgia: The Golf Cart Capital of The World

My research paper is on my hometown of Peachtree City. Some call it the bubble because it is known that not much happens here, but it is known to many as the Golf Cart Capital of the world. As you read this you are probably thinking what in the world is this girl talking about, but it is a true fact that Peachtree City is well known for its Golf Cart transportation.
According to "The Christian Science Monitor", Sun City, Arizona was the reining golf cart capital. It is home to thousands of older golfers. The difference between these two cities is that Arizona is home to golfers, but in Peachtree City the golf carts belong to the teens. These teens are not using these golf carts to go play golf, but instead they are using these mini-cars as a means of transportation. There are over 9,000 registered golf carts in Peachtree City with over 100 miles of tarred golf cart paths. This path is known as the "children's highway."
This tarred path is a lot easier to maintain. Most roads wear within 2 years and have to be repaved constantly. Golf cart paths however, only need to be repaved every five years or so. This is because golf carts don’t go nearly as fast as regular cars so the roads are not worn down as much. The paths are also a lot smaller; they are about the size of one regular car. This is not a problem because when a golf cart driver comes into contact with another golf cart going the opposite way, they just go around each other by getting their right hand wheels into the ground right outside of the path.
This means of transportation is becoming a trend around America. This is because of its great efficiency. In most places cars are the main source of transportation. This however, pollutes our air and is slowly killing our ecosystem. Golf carts are battery operated and are a much better way of getting around, while still helping our ecosystem. They have even made a new type of golf cart called a GEM car made by Chrysler. This car is actually allowed on streets reaching speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. The battery in the golf cart lasts about 12 hours and if you plug it in at night, it is ready to go in the morning with a full battery.
Another good thing about these golf carts is that the age to drive a golf cart is 15. You only have to have your permit to drive by yourself. This is great practice for those trying to obtain a license. This is also helpful to the students who have to drive themselves to school. At each school there is a section dedicated for golf cart parking only. This is the same for restaurants and shopping centers. It is also very helpful in the fact that the paths are completely separate from the roads. This makes it safer and keeps the roads less congested.
The golf cart paths also are big short cuts; they cut through neighborhoods, shopping centers, and they even have tunnels and bridges to maneuver around the road. To make sure that things are staying safe and that nobody is breaking the law, police now have a right to drive their cars on the paths. Many policemen ride bikes and even golf carts to keep everything under control. The most common things that people get pulled over for on a golf cart is either DUI or driving on the streets.
Golf carts however can be dangerous. They don’t flip easily but it does not take well to ditches and because there are no doors, it is very easy for somebody to fall out an hurt themselves. It takes skill to learn how to drive a Golf cart safely and it takes a bit of experience. It is not hard to drive these vehicles, but some people like to go off roading and these mini cars are not made to do that. The only thing I would suggest to make these means of transportation safer is to make new laws on what you can and cannot do with a golf cart.
In my opinion, golf carts should not only be used as a way to get around the golf course. More cities should consider this new development and take into account what a transformation this could make on their city. They are also very enjoyable and something that can be done with the whole family.