Golf Cart Ordinance Begs Question: What's Next?

If you see your neighbor driving down the street in a golf cart, don’t slam on the brakes, hit yourself over the head and mutter under your breath, “Holy, Bubba Watson! Was that a hovercraft?”

Because chances are, your neighbor will be driving around in an ordinary old golf cart, not something out of a Bubba Watson/PGA Tour fantasy YouTube video.

Under an ordinance recently passed by the Village board, Channahon residents now will be allowed to drive golf carts on Village roadways having a posted speed of 35-mph or less.

No kidding.

How did all of this come about?

“I think what happened is the mayor had some people inquire about it,” Channahon Village Administrator Joe Pena said. “He had the (police) chief put together an ordinance. And the board approved it.”

Channahon residents driving golf carts on Village roadways must equip their carts with the following (per guidelines drawn up by police chief Jeff Wold):

• Tail lamp.
• Brakes, brake lights, headlight.
• Tires, turn signals, steering apparatus.
• Rearview mirror, slow moving emblem (rear) and red reflective warning devices (front and rear).

Pena said it’s not as unusual as you might think for a small town or village to allow golf carts on its streets. Even so …

“I’m sure it will take some getting used to,” he said.

The following rules and restrictions will govern golf cart traffic and use by Village residents:

• May operate only on Village roadways having a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
• May cross Village streets having a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph.
• All crossings must be direct crossings made at an intersection.
• May not operate on, or cross, a State Highway within the Village of Channahon (U.S. 6, Interstate-55, Frontage Roads).
• May not operate on sidewalks or other public property not accessible to, or authorized for, vehicular traffic.

And these Village requirements will be enforced:

• Driver must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must have and carry proof of mandatory vehicle liability insurance, listing the golf cart.
• Must obey all applicable traffic laws and ordinances.

One question: Before leaving your driveway, do you have to shout "Fore?"