Mount Carmel Mayor Joe Judge is reminding residents that UTVs and golf carts are not permitted to operate on state highways.
During Tuesday afternoon’s City Council meeting, Judge said he recently witnessed a UTV driver leave Cherry Street and enter a state route, creating what he described as a dangerous situation. Judge said he attempted to catch up with the driver to offer a reminder about the city’s rules but was unable to do so.
The mayor stressed that Mount Carmel’s ordinance clearly outlines where golf carts and UTVs may legally operate, and state highways are not included on that list.
Judge warned that drivers who take golf carts or UTVs onto state routes could face enforcement action if spotted by the Illinois State Police.
He urged residents to familiarize themselves with the city’s ordinance and to avoid driving the vehicles on highways for their own safety and the safety of other motorists.
Judge said the city has worked to be accommodating regarding golf cart and UTV use, but he emphasized that operators must follow the rules and stay off state-maintained roadways.