City may allow golf carts on streets

You may soon be able to “putter” around in Electric City.

No, they aren’t turning the city into a putt-putt golf course, although some might argue it’s a good idea; but last Tuesday night the city council voted in favor of allowing golf carts and ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) to be used on city streets.

Don’t head out to purchase your golf cart just yet. The devil is always in the details.

One councilman, Brad Parrish said that the city’s ordinance on the matter should reflect the state law on the use of such vehicles on city streets.

Since 2010, state law has provided for defining “golf cart zones” that include roads with speed limits up to 25 mph.

This is the second time the council has taken up the golf cart issue. The first time it died because because of people citing all the reasons the idea wouldn’t work.

It is working elsewhere. It’s popular in southern states where golf courses abound, but even Waitsburg, Washington allows it, and Okanogan and Wilbur are considering it.

In the audience at the council meeting last week, Grand Coulee Police Chief John Tufts asked about it, and his concern was only that the carts and ATVs follow the law.