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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.