Posted at: 08/09/2009 10:47 PM
Updated at: 08/10/2009 8:11 AM
By: Lorilyn Prestidge

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Lake Mills Hopes to Make Golf Carts Street Legal

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Golf carts may soon share the road with motorists in Lake Mills, Iowa.
    
The city is looking into an ordinance to make golf carts legal on city streets.
    
Kirby Holtan has owned his golf cart for several years, and it's a favorite for his two little girls.

"The girls hound me everyday after work to go for a ride and so we get on it and buzz around the yard.  It would be a lot nicer to take them farther places," said Holtan.

Holtan wants to see the ordinance passed not only for his daughters, but also for convenience.

"My work is about three blocks away and instead of driving my car, I'd drive that,"he said.
 
He says it would save gas and be a little greener because it's electric.

"I talked to a lot of people who don't own golf carts, and said if it does pass they probably would think about getting one,” he said.

The proposed ordinance comes with several stipulations.

"They will be able cross our state highways in town, but they won't be able to go down them,” said City Councilman Duane Skellenger.

The cart will also have to be marked.

"It’s going to require a flag and that they will register with the city so they know who has them,” said Skellenger.

And the golf carts will have to pass a safety check, have a slower moving vehicle sign on them and be insured.

But not everyone is in support of the ordinance.  Some say that golf carts are unsafe, since they're small and don't have seatbelts.

"We have bicycles on the street. We have lawn mowers on the street. I don't know why golf carts would be a problem. To me, it's great. I think it’s a real asset for people cost wise, convenience, handy don't take up so much room parking lot at the grocery store and stuff,” said Skellenger.

And time will tell if Holtan's wish is granted. 

The city council votes on the issue August 17th.
    
Forest City and Algona, Iowa have similar ordinances and say they haven't seen any problems.