Golf carts and UTVs may only be operated on streets not otherwise prohibited within the city in accordance with the following rules and regulations:

(A) Any person who operates a golf cart or UTV in the city assumes full responsibility for all liability associated with the operation thereof.

(B) It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to operate a golf cart or UTV in the city and shall not be eligible to obtain a permit for such.

(C) The operator must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Illinois or any other state and shall have the license on his or her person when operating a golf cart or UTV.

(D) The operator must possess proof of liability insurance covering the operation of the golf cart or UTV being operated with limits of liability not less than the minimum required by the State of Illinois for the operation of a passenger vehicle and must maintain said insurance when operating the golf cart or UTV.

(E) Golf carts and UTVs may only be operated on the streets of Polo between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.

(F) Operation of golf carts and UTVs is prohibited when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog or at any other time when there is insufficient light to clearly see persons and vehicles on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.

(G) In addition to the requirements stated above, golf carts and UTVs must also be equipped as follows:

(1) A horn that is operable and can be heard at least 100 feet from the golf cart or UTV;

(2) Brakes and brake lights;

(3) Headlights that emit a white light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front which must be illuminated when the vehicle is in operation;

(4) Tail lamps that emit a red light visible from at least 100 feet from the rear and must be in operation when the vehicle is in operation;

(5) Turn signals;

(6) Steering wheel apparatus;

(7) Tires;

(8) Rearview mirror;

(9) There must be a windshield or the operator and passenger(s) must wear eye protection as required when riding a motorcycle;

(10) A "slow moving vehicle" emblem compliant with 625 ILCS 5/12-709 must be secured to the rear of the golf cart or UTV;

(11) The maximum occupancy for a qualified golf cart or UTV shall not exceed three persons but there must be a seat belt for the operator and each passenger and the seat belts must be worn while the golf cart or UTV is in operation;

(12) Golf carts and UTVs are only allowed to park in spaces designated for handicapped parking if the operator or at least one passenger has a valid handicapped parking emblem which is clearly visible in the golf cart or UTV;

(13) If the equipment requirements are amended via 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1, those requirements shall also apply; and,

(14) To the extent applicable, the operator must comply with all requirements set forth in the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/1-100 et seq.).

(H) Golf carts and UTVs which comply with the provisions of division (G)(1) through (G)(13) of this section shall be deemed "qualified".

(I) An operator of a golf cart or UTV must obey all traffic laws of the State of Illinois and the city and must yield the right-of-way to all other vehicles approaching or overtaking them at all times.

(J) Golf carts and UTVs shall only be operated on city streets except where specifically prohibited.

(K) Golf carts and UTVs shall not be operated in excess of the posted speed limit or 30 miles per hour, whichever is less. This provision does not prohibit golf carts or UTVs with valid permits from crossing a prohibited roadway provided the operator takes the shortest feasible route to a roadway where operation is allowed.

(L) A person operating or in actual physical control of a golf cart or UTV within the city while under the influence is subject to the provisions of 625 ILCS 5/11-500 through 625 ILCS 5/11-502.

(M) Golf carts and UTVs shall not be operated on sidewalks.

(Ord. 15-01, passed 6-1-15; Am. Ord. 16-01, passed 3-21-16; Am. Ord. 16-08, passed 7-18-16)

City of Polo

Golf Carts & UTV's

CHAPTER 80: GOLF CARTS AND UTILITY TASK VEHICLES

80.01 NON-HIGHWAY VEHICLES ALLOWED

80.02 DEFINITIONS

UTILITY TASK VEHICLE (UTV)

80.03 RULES AND REGULATIONS

80.04 PROHIBITED STREETS

80.05 PERMITS

80.06 VIOLATIONS