GALESBURG — City of Galesburg administration is continuing to explore the use of utility vehicles on city streets.
A request was made during public comment at a City Council meeting to allow UTVs on city streets.
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According to the Traffic Advisory Committee May 2022 report, Illinois law does not allow the use of ATVs or UTVs on any street, highway or roadway. The exception is they may be used on county and township roadways for farm use. The statewide prohibition also does not apply where a local ordinance or resolution has been adopted that permits UTV use on local roadways.
According to Galesburg Director of Public Works and Interim City Manager Wayne Carl, "The intention would be to include golf carts, but the City Council would have the final say. The definition would likely be 'golf cart' as defined in 625 ILCS 5/1-123.9 and 'qualified non-highway vehicles' as defined in 625 ILCS 5/1-168.8."
Other municipalities within Illinois have passed ordinances allowing UTV use on city streets with certain stipulations. Canton, for example, allows the use of ATV’s and UTV’s on streets with posted speed limits less than 35 mph and they cannot be driven on city sidewalks or state highways.
Drivers are still governed by all rules of the road when operating these vehicles on local streets. The vehicles are required to be registered and permitted within the city.
The TAC discussed examples of other communities that have passed ordinances allowing the use of UTVs on city streets. It was agreed that allowing the use of these vehicles may provide a benefit to the members of the community if the proper laws and regulations are required.
The TAC recommended to discuss this item with other communities that have allowed the use of these vehicles to determine what their experience has been. Other city’s ordinances will also be reviewed and used to draft an ordinance if it is decided to move forward with approving the use of UTVs in Galesburg.
The Traffic Advisory is comprised of the city engineer (chair), city manager, police chief, fire chief, director of Community Development, and director of Public Works.
Carl said he expects administration to make a recommendation on the use of UTVs to the City Council sometime in June.