Thursday, June 18, 2009 8:38 PM CDT
Neoga takes step to allow golf cart-style vehicles on streets
By CHRIS ESSIG, Staff Intern
cessig@jg-tc.com
NEOGA — Another East Central Illinois town may soon be added to the list of area communities that allow low-speed golf cart-style vehicles on their streets.
The Neoga City Council approved an ordinance on June 1 that would make certain low-speed vehicles street legal, and the move must receive state approval to go into effect.
While the measure was considered a golf cart ordinance on the council’s agenda, the term “golf cart” was replaced with “neighborhood vehicle,” said Brenda Evans, Neoga city clerk. The Illinois Vehicle Code makes a distinction between golf carts and neighborhood vehicles, although they are similar.
Julie and Jim Phillips of Neoga circulated a petition in favor of the ordinance that received more than 200 signatures. The couple purchased their neighborhood vehicle, a 1977 Western House Marketeer, at an auction in August.
They hoped to use it on camping trips but found some sites don’t allow carts. After hearing from friends that other towns in the area were passing golf cart ordinances, they started collecting signatures.
The ordinance will be sent to the IDOT District 7 office in Effingham because U.S. Route 45 cuts through Neoga, Evans said. Under the Illinois Vehicle Code, IDOT must approve city ordinances that include streets under their jurisdiction, such as state highways and national routes.
If IDOT gives approval, low-speed vehicles may be allowed to cross certain roads under its jurisdiction, said Jerry Cearlock, operations engineer for IDOT District 5.
“Safety is the number one issue,” he said.
The Phillipses also had to obtain approval from the railroad and county highway department because of the railroad tracks and county roads that run through town.
The biggest advantage of the vehicles is energy efficiency, since many run on batteries, Jim Phillips said.
“Everybody needs to help consume less energy,” he said.
The Neoga ordinance requires vehicles to have brakes, a steering apparatus, a rearview mirror, headlights, brake lights and turn signals, among other equipment. The police department will inspect every vehicle.
Neoga’s ordinance would allow residents to apply for a $75 license for their vehicle, providing they are at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license. Riding will only be allowed from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. during daylight savings time and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. during standard time.
Any person who violates the ordinance will be subject to fine of at least $100 and no more than $1,000. Evans doesn’t foresee problems with the low-speed vehicles because the streets in Neoga have a speed limit of 30 mph as it is.
Neighborhood vehicles may not travel on roads with posted speeds of more than 35 mph. Plus, drivers of regular vehicles already have to be aware of bikers and scooters on the road, she added.
“Drivers need to be defensive,” Evans said.
Under the Illinois Vehicle Code, golf carts specifically refer to vehicles used for playing golf. They may either be electronically or gasoline powered. If they are the latter, they must have an “engine displacement under 1,200 cubic centimeters.”
Neighborhood vehicles are defined as “self-propelled ... four-wheeled motor vehicles” that travel between 20 and 25 mph. Municipalities may pass ordinances that approve either or both on their streets.
The number of cities inquiring about such an ordinance has increased since last summer, at least at the IDOT District 7 office, said Dewayne Seachrist, traffic operations engineer for the district. That office has received about seven inquiries from cities in the area since the first of the year.
The inquiries are predominately from small towns, he said.
Several area towns already passed an ordinance similar to Neoga’s, including Arthur, Greenup, Shelbyville, Stewardson, Sullivan and Windsor.
With 54, Greenup has the most registered licenses of the six communities. The town initiated its ordinance about five years ago, said Chief of Police Bill Cline. It includes golf carts and slow-moving utility vehicles. The ordinance has not caused any major problems, he said.
The number of people registering for licenses spiked when gas prices were $4 a gallon last year but have leveled off since then, Cline noted.
Stewardson’s golf cart ordinance has been around for about four years. About six people have signed up, Officer Randy Allen said. Both golf carts and neighborhood vehicles or utility type vehicles (UTVs) are legal on the roads there, Allen said.
Windsor has had an ordinance on the books since 2005. About six to 10 people have applied for a license, said Linda Voris, Windsor city clerk. No accidents or injuries have been reported due to the carts on the road, she said.
Sullivan has had an ordinance in place since August. Five people have signed up for licenses, city officials reported.
Arthur has had an ordinance in place since September that allows golf carts and UTVs on the streets. In all, 20 people have registered, and so far the response has been positive, said Arthur Police Chief Michael Goodman.
“A good number” of the drivers are elderly, Goodman said. No accidents have been reported and some of the drivers comment that it is easier to make small trips in town, he said.
In May, Shelbyville passed a similar ordinance that allows neighborhood electric vehicles on its streets. Carrie Jones, Shelbyville city clerk, said she has not received any inquiries for licenses so far.
Casey town leaders ares also looking into an ordinance that would allow these vehicles on the streets.
Contact Chris essig at cessig@jg-tc.com or 238-6860.
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