DU QUOIN, Ill. — Some small southern Illinois cities are among dozens across the state that are allowing golf carts on roadways when deemed safe.
The latest is the city of Benton, where the City Council will consider a proposal to allow golf carts on city roads at its Aug. 10 meeting, The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reported. Others in the region include Pinckneyville, Goreville, Sesser, Breese, West Frankfort, Eldorado, Galatia, Golconda, Goreville and Du Quoin.
"A few years ago, we had a BMW, and now look at us," said Brenda Toney of Du Quoin about her golf cart, which has been allowed on the city's streets for several years.
The idea started in retirement golf communities. It's been legal in Illinois since 1998 when the General Assembly voted to let municipalities open streets to golf carts with a vote of the local city council. State law limits their use to streets with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
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Du Quoin Mayor Guy Alongi is among the nearly 90 city residents to pay a $35 city registration fee for operating the carts. Required safety features include turn signals, seat belts and a "slow-moving vehicle" warning sign visible in the rear.
Benton Mayor Fred Kondritz said residents have asked him in recent months about allowing golf carts.
"It's not just for the elderly who jump in and want to go to Hardee's, but for leisure drivers, too," he said.
