Mattoon golf cart ordinance starts, sparks mixed reactions
Share and Follow


MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — Mattoon’s golf cart ordinance went into effect on Friday, meaning residents can now cruise around select parts of the city.

The vehicles can be driven on streets and certain alleys with a speed limit of 30 or lower, except for on the main roads. Some people in the community said this will be a great way to get around the area, but others disagree.

One Mattoon man said he’s seen golf carts give seniors a way to get around small towns, but he’s not sure if carts will work in a city the size of Mattoon. However, a company that sells these carts and other vehicles said the rules laid out in the new law are designed to help with safety concerns.

“There’s a map on the city’s website that shows, obviously a lot of the side streets are perfectly fine but then some of the main roads, you can’t go down the main roads. But there are crossings for those,” said Adam Fifield, general manager of Pilson Powersports. “And again, just following the laws, you know, you need to stay under 30 miles an hour, not acting crazy so that we can all enjoy it.”

Carts will also be required to have certain safety features like brake lights, seatbelts and a rearview mirror. 

Another part of the ordinance requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to put up golf cart crossing signs. However, IDOT said there’s no update at this time on when the signs will be introduced to the community, even though they were supposed to be in place on Aug. 1.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Weekend Weather Update: Sunshine Saturday Followed by Sunday Showers – What to Expect!

SAVANNAH, Ga. — The week wrapped up with splendid weather across the…

Breaking: Campus Shooting Incident at University of Illinois Sparks Urgent Police Response

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Just after midnight on Saturday, the University of…

SSU Selected as One of 30 Institutions for Innovative Freshman AI Initiative

SAVANNAH, Ga. — In a significant educational advancement, Savannah State University (SSU)…

Illinois Youth Hunters Achieve Record-Breaking Deer Harvest in Shortened Three-Day Season

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A recent report from the Illinois Department of…

Alaska Storm Leaves Devastating Impact: Evacuees Face 18-Month Displacement, Governor Reports

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The aftermath of severe flooding in remote Alaska villages…

Bring Back the Tradition: Illini Fans Rally to Restore Iconic Stadium Name

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — A passionate group of Illinois football enthusiasts is rallying…

Local Legend Electrifies Audience with Show-Stopping Performance at Temptations Concert

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — A cherished icon of the music world recently…

Legally Blind Artist Breaks Barriers with Impressive Tattoo Skills

POLAND, Ohio (WKBN) — Despite being born legally blind, Nicole Morrone channels…