There are a lot of assertions, predictions, and speculations going around about potential changes to speed limits and potentially making it legal to operate golf carts on roads in GHCP.

The Board of Directors of the GHCP Association has long been concerned about the safety of residents in our rapidly growing residential community.  Several years ago, we initiated a request with the area VDOT engineer proposing a reduction in speed limits on our primary roads.  That request was denied.  In 2021, we collaborated with County officials and other community associations in Westmoreland County to support legislation that would have given the County Board of Supervisors the authority to regulate the use of golf carts and other utility vehicles on roads where the posted speed limit was 40 mph or less.  That bill (Senate Bill 1337) died in committee.

For the past two years the Board has strategically solicited resident input in our Annual Survey of the Community. In August, 77% of respondents were in favor of the 25-mph speed limit and 67% asked the Board to pursue becoming a Golf Cart Community. Accordingly, the Board continues to investigate both issues and work with the County Board of Supervisors and VDOT to find and advocate for solutions that will benefit the residents of GHCP and the broader community.

Our District Supervisor, Jeff McCormack, has joined our efforts and directly supported the efforts of the “grass roots” Cart Wheeling Group in GHCP in urging VDOT to reduce speed limits in GHCP to VDOT’s stated standard of 25 mph in residential communities.  This is consistent with past requests submitted to VDOT from the GHCPA Board of Directors and would make our community safer.  If that happens, it could also pave the way for the Board of Supervisors to designate GHCP within the metes and bounds of the Sanitary District, a golf cart community.

At the November 12 County Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor McCormack reported on discussions with VDOT to lower the speed limit on Royal Way from 40 mph to 35 mph. That would be a smaller but welcome step in the right direction toward lower speed limits. But despite what some posts have asserted, it would NOT make golf carts legal on the roads in GHCP.

“Golf carts” per se are not allowed to operate on 35 mph roads or even 25 mph roadways unless such public highways have been specifically designated for golf carts.  Under Virginia code “Low Speed Vehicles” (LSVs) refers to a class of vehicles that meet specific standards that qualify them to operate on roadways where the maximum speed does not exceed 35 mph.  Some well-equipped/modified golf carts may also qualify as LSVs and, once licensed, could enjoy the same privileges as other LSVs.  Without being upgraded to the standards of an LSV, the operation of golf carts in the GHCP community remains illegal. Think LSV friendly, but not “golf cart community.” Click HERE to read some of the relevant provisions in Virginia code.

The Association Board’s primary concern remains to improve community safety by lowering speed limits and improving compliance with those limits. Our second priority is to understand, advocate for, and assist in the implementation of reasonable golf cart policies that the community supports.  We support the ongoing efforts to lower speed limits in our community but, ultimately, only VDOT has the authority to set roadway speeds.  Regardless of what happens in the next few weeks, there will be many details and processes to be ironed out.  The Association Board expects to take the lead role on behalf of the GHCP Community in coordinating the information to be presented at the December 6 meeting and in coordinating with County officials, should the reduction in speed limits in GHCP and the formal designation as a Golf Cart Community become a reality.

We greatly appreciate the support of the community through this process.  We urge you to continue to refer to communications from the Association Board as your source for official information on this issue. We will continue to update the community as the process moves forward.

posted 11.24.25