SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) – A serious crash earlier this week has now sparked a conversation about whether golf carts should be allowed on the road in one Grand Strand community.

The Surfside Beach Police Department told WMBF News that the crash in question happened Monday when a man was thrown from a golf cart and ultimately run over at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Surfside Drive.

Police also said the driver of a car was following the golf car too closely and ended up rear-ending it.

It’s something one couple who spoke to WMBF News said they’ve experienced themselves.

“Oh, I get mad,” said Dawn Jarvis.

“[They’re] following too close all the time,” added Jeff Caine. “They’re so busy trying to get around the golf cart. We try to make a turn and don’t even realize somebody was trying to blast past us.”

Others feel that blame doesn’t just fall on cars on the road.

“It’s both,” said Heather Natali, who lives in Surfside Beach. “Golf cart drivers need to be responsible and the drivers of the car have to be responsible.”

Golf cart drivers in the area also said it’s not uncommon to see drivers run a stop sign at the intersection where the crash happened, leaving them feeling uneasy.

“I’m much more safe on my golf cart than on the bike, you know you can’t outrun anything,“ said Caine. ”In your car, you’re surrounded by a big cage. I would say leave the golf carters alone and just enforce the laws for everybody.“

Until there’s a solution, however, folks in town are simply just asking for drivers of all kinds to respect each other on the road.

“Somebody needs to stick to it and whatever it is,” said Natali. “Stick with it you know. The rules and regulations and all that stuff. Just don’t throw your hands up and let it go.”

Details on the condition of the golf cart driver involved in Modnay’s crash were not available. The other driver involved was cited, according to Surfside Beach police.

Stay with WMBF News for updates.

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