[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of El Paso
as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 11-21-2005 by Ord. No. 842, effective 1-1-2006; amended in its
entirety 2-6-2017 by Ord. No. 994]
Low-speed vehicles may be operated on the City streets of the
City of El Paso in accordance with the provisions set forth hereafter
in this article and subject to the provisions of 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.2
(a part of the Illinois Vehicle Code).
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any four-wheeled vehicle with a maximum speed greater than
20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour that conforms
with the federal motor vehicle safety standards set forth in 49 CFR
Part 571.500.
[Amended 5-17-2021 by Ord. No. 1043]
The low-speed vehicle shall not be operated on any street with
a posted speed limit of more than 30 miles per hour.
No person may operate a low-speed vehicle upon any City street
unless he or she has a valid driver's license issued in his or her
name by the Illinois Secretary of State or a foreign jurisdiction.
A.
No person
shall operate a low-speed vehicle upon U.S. Route 24 or Illinois Route
251 located within the City of El Paso other than to cross said streets
perpendicular to go to the other side of these routes.
B.
A low-speed
vehicle shall not be operated upon any street which is under the jurisdiction
of either Panola Township, El Paso Township or Woodford County, which
streets include Adams Street, South Oak Street and County Road 1100
North.
No low-speed vehicle may be operated on a City street unless,
at a minimum, it has the following: brakes, a steering apparatus,
tires, a rearview mirror, red reflectorized warning devices in the
front and rear, a slow moving emblem [as required of other vehicles
in Section 12-709 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/12-709)]
on the rear of the low-speed vehicle, a headlight that emits a white
light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the front, a tail lamp
that emits a red light visible from at least 100 feet from the rear,
brake lights, and turn signals. When operated on a City street, a
low-speed vehicle shall have its headlight and tail lamps lighted
as required by Section 12-201 of the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS
5/12-201).
The definition of "low-speed vehicle" shall not include golf
carts or lawn mowers as golf carts and lawn mowers are specifically
excluded.[1]
[Amended 5-17-2021 by Ord. No. 1043]
No low-speed vehicle shall be operated within the City of El
Paso unless such vehicle has been inspected and registered with either
the El Paso Police Department or an authorized representative of the
City, including but not limited to the Director of Public Service,
City Clerk, or any staff of the City located at City Hall prior to
the operation. Each low-speed vehicle shall pay a yearly registration
fee to the City of El Paso prior to operating on the City streets.
The City of El Paso Director of Public Service and the staff located
at City Hall shall maintain a registration of all low-speed vehicles
permitted to operate within the City of El Paso.
[Adopted 8-1-2011 by Ord.
No. 916 (Ch. 10.20 of the 1979 Code)]
Except as otherwise provided in this article, it is unlawful
for any person to drive or operate a golf cart upon any street, highway,
or roadway within the City of El Paso.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Consist of any of the streets and alleys within the boundaries
of the City of El Paso.
A motorized vehicle with three or four wheels that is not
designed to be operated at a speed of more than 25 miles per hour,
whose purpose can include, but is not limited to, the playing of golf
and is generally designed to carry persons including the driver.
A.
No person shall operate a golf cart on City streets before obtaining
a permit for that cart. A permit is valid from January 1 to December
31 of each year. Inspection of the cart and insurance coverage shall
be submitted and verified by the City of El Paso Police Department
or an authorized representative of the City, including but not limited
to the Director of Public Service, City Clerk, or any staff of the
City located at City Hall when obtaining and renewing a permit or
when asked for by the Police Department or another authorized representative
of the City of El Paso. After the permit is issued, the owner of the
cart is to make sure no one drives the cart without a valid driver's
license.
[Amended 5-17-2021 by Ord. No. 1043]
B.
Every application for a permit shall be made on a form supplied by
the City and shall contain at a minimum the following information:
(1)
Name and address of applicant.
(2)
Name and liability insurance carrier.
(3)
The serial number, make, model and description of golf cart.
(4)
A signed waiver of liability by the applicant, releasing the City
of El Paso and agreeing to indemnify and hold the City harmless from
any and all future claims resulting from operation of his/her golf
cart on the City of El Paso streets.
(5)
A photocopy of the applicable liability insurance coverage card specifically
for the vehicle to be operated pursuant to the permit.
(6)
Such other information as the City may require.
C.
No permit shall be granted unless the following conditions are met:
(1)
The cart must be inspected by the City of El Paso Chief of Police
or an authorized representative of the City, including but not limited
to the Director of Public Service, City Clerk, or any staff of the
City located at City Hall to ensure the cart is safe to operate on
City streets and is in compliance with this chapter and with the State
of Illinois Motor Vehicle Code.
[Amended 5-17-2021 by Ord. No. 1043]
(2)
A physically handicapped applicant must submit a certificate signed
by a license physician certifying that the applicant is able to safely
operate a qualified golf cart on the City streets.
(3)
The applicant must provide evidence of insurance in compliance with
the provisions of the Illinois statutes regarding minimum liability
insurance for passenger motor vehicles to be operated on the roads
of the State of Illinois.
D.
The City of El Paso may suspend or revoke a permit granted hereunder
upon finding that the holder thereof has violated any provision of
this article or there is evidence that the permittee cannot safely
operate a qualified golf cart on the City streets, or if the driver
of said golf cart has been found guilty of violating any of the provisions
of Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-500 through 625 ILCS 5/11-502.
E.
Fees. The cost of the permit shall be as set forth in the fee schedule.
[Amended 2-6-2017 by Ord.
No. 994]
F.
Exceptions.
(1)
The permit fee shall be waived for all governmental entities or recognized
not-for-profit entities.
(2)
The City may issue a temporary special event permit for use of golf
carts that may not be in compliance with the requirements of this
article and that are valid and issued only during that event.
All persons wishing to operate a golf cart on the streets under
the jurisdiction of the City of El Paso must ensure compliance with
the following requirements:
A.
Proof of current insurance. The driver must carry proof with the
vehicle.
B.
Driver's license. The driver must have a current valid government-issued
driver's license.
C.
Golf carts must be equipped as follows:
(1)
Brakes and brake lights.
(2)
A steering wheel apparatus.
(3)
Tires.
(4)
Rearview mirror.
(5)
Approved "Slow Moving Vehicle" emblem on the rear of the vehicle
(625 ILCS 5/12-709).
(6)
Two headlights that emit a white light visible from a distance of
500 feet to the front of the cart, which headlights must be illuminated
when in operation.
(7)
Two tail lamps that emit a red light visible from a distance of at
least 100 feet from the rear, which tail lamps must be illuminated
when in operation.
(8)
Any additional requirements which may be required by 625 ILCS 5/11-1426.1,
as amended.
D.
The maximum number of occupants in such vehicles shall be limited
to the total number of seats available on the particular vehicle.
A.
Drivers of golf carts must comply with all applicable provisions
of the Illinois Vehicle Code and with all traffic laws otherwise codified
by the City of El Paso.
B.
Golf carts may not be operated in excess of posted speed limits.
C.
No person shall operate any golf cart in such a manner as to endanger
the life, limb or property of any person.
Golf carts may only be operated on streets and alleys within
the City of El Paso.
A.
Golf carts may not be operated on any City of El Paso walking trail,
sidewalks, on the tracks or right-of-way of an operating railroad,
or on private property without the written or verbal consent of the
owner or lessee thereof.
B.
Golf carts may not be operated on any City street that has a speed
limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
C.
Golf carts may not be operated on U.S. Highway 24 and State Route
251 or any other Illinois Department of Transportation highway, except
to cross the highways at any intersection. Golf carts cannot be operated
west of Route 251 except on West Second Street and West Third Street.
All golf carts must be parked in a parking space on any street
and may also be parked in a driveway or a yard with the owner's permission.
Any person who violates any provisions of this article shall
be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of
not less than $75 and not more than $200. Any second or subsequent
offense shall result in the revocation of the permit for at least
the rest of the year and up to no more than two years. To the extent
that any violation of this article also constitutes a violation of
a criminal statute of the State of Illinois or the Illinois Vehicle
Code, then the violator shall also be subject to that prosecution.
