(a) As used in this section, "non-highway vehicle" means a motor vehicle not specifically designed to be used on a public highway, including:
(1) An all-terrain vehicle, as defined by Section 1-101.8 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;
(2) A golf cart, as defined by Section 1-123.9;
(3) An off-highway motorcycle, as defined by Section 1-153.1; and
(4) A recreational off-highway vehicle, as defined by Section 1-168.8.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate on the City streets of the City of Christopher any all-terrain vehicle, off-highway motorcycle as defined above. However golf carts and recreational off-highway vehicles shall be authorized for use upon City streets of the City of Christopher so long as they comply with all of the regulations of this section. In addition, non-highway vehicles prohibited as stated above shall be allowed to cross a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
(c) (1) A person may not operate a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle upon any street, highway or roadway in this City unless he or she has a valid driver's license issued in his or her name by the Secretary of State or by a foreign jurisdiction;
(2) A person operating a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle may make a direct crossing at an intersection controlled by a 4-way stop sign upon or across a highway under the jurisdiction of the State if the speed limit on the highway is 35 miles per hour or less at the place of crossing;
(3) If a roadway is under the jurisdiction of more than one unit of government, golf carts or recreational off-highway vehicle may not be operated on the roadway unless each unit of government agrees and takes action as provided in this section;
(4) No golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle may be operated on a roadway in the City of Christopher unless at a minimum it has the following equipment; operating brakes, a steering apparatus, tires, a rear-view mirror, red reflectorized warning devises in the front and rear, a slow moving emblem (as required by other vehicles in the State of Illinois), on the rear of the golf cart or recreational off-highway 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 operating on a roadway, a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle shall have its headlight and tail lamps lighted;
(d) A person who drives or is in actual physical control of a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle on a roadway while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is subject to Section 11-500 through 11-502 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;
(e) Any person who operates a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle on a street or roadway in the City of Christopher shall be subject to the mandatory insurance requirement under Article XI of Chapter 7 of the Illinois Vehicle Code;
(f) Golf carts or recreational off-highway vehicles shall be allowed to cross a state highway, municipal street, county highway or road district highway if the operator of the golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle makes a direct crossing provided:
(1) The crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the street, road or highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
(2) The golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle is brought to a complete stop before attempting a crossing;
(3) The operator of the golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle yields the right of way to all pedestrian and vehicular traffic which constitutes a hazard.
(g) No action taken by the City of Christopher under this section designates the operation of a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle as an intended or permitted use of property with respect to Section 3-102 of the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act.
(h) No golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle shall be operated on the City streets of the City of Christopher unless the owner of said golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle first complies with the following additional requirements:
(1) The owner of said golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle shall first have said golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle inspected by the Mayor of the City of Christopher or his or her designated agent and a license to operate said golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle is issued by the City of Christopher to the owner. The cost of the license shall be fifty dollars ($50.00). The owner shall fill out an application for a license provided by the City of Christopher to the operator and obtain a sticker which shall be prominently displayed on the front of said golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle. The fee shall be an annual fee which shall run from July 1 to June 30 and there shall be no pro-ration of the license fee and the license renewal shall be due on July 1 of each year. If a licensed golf cart is replaced or transferred during the term of an annual license, the owner may transfer the license to a different golf cart but must first have the replacement vehicle inspected and pay to the City a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) transfer fee. A golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle shall be lawful for operation on the City streets of the City of Christopher only between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight;
(2) The minimum fine for operating a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle without insurance shall be two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00). Proof of insurance must be kept with the golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle;
(3) Golf carts or recreational off-highway vehicles shall not be operated on the following City streets: On Market Street from State Street to Thomas Street except for parades or special events;
(4) Golf carts or recreational off-highway vehicles shall not be operated on any City sidewalk of the City of Christopher;
(5) In all other respects, the operator of a golf cart or recreational off-highway vehicle shall comply with the Illinois Vehicle Code of the State of Illinois unless otherwise stated herein.
(Ord. 827. Passed 7-8-13; Ord. 944. Passed 1-12-15; Ord. 990. Passed 3-11-19.)