Kudos to Southampton County supervisors for not spending $10,000 on signs so motorists could legally drive golf carts on county roadways.

County Administrator Mike Johnson came up with an alternate solution, which supervisors are considering. Let anyone who wants to drive a golf cart on county roads pay for their own signs.

Supervisor Anita Felts during the board’s October meeting suggested the golf cart issue be put on the agenda, given the popularity of the vehicles.

Without a law on the books, it’s illegal to drive golf carts in the county. The county may adopt an ordinance, which as dictated by the state, would allow people to drive golf carts on roadways posted at 25 miles per hour or less.

The state also requires that operators be licensed drivers, and a golf cart must be equipped with a slow-moving vehicle emblem. Golf carts without lights can be driven from sunrise to sunset. The law also requires that roadways designated for use by golf carts be posted with appropriate signs.

It was determined 67 roads in the county, not including incorporated towns like Boykins and Courtland, would need the signs. Assuming one is placed on each end of every roadway, the cost is estimated at $10,000.

Times are tight, so this kind of spending is totally unnecessary. There’s no reason why those who drive golf carts can’t cover the bill for signs.