The Iowa House has voted to let golf carts on the streets of small rural Iowa communities that may have a name, but aren’t incorporated as a city. Representative Dawn Pettengill, a Republican from Mount Auburn, says local county supervisors would have to give the go ahead.
“It allows established communities within unincorporated areas to have golf carts on their streets with the same rules that the cities do and that would be a valid driver’s license,” Pettengill says. “They can’t use a primary road unless they’re crossing it. It has to be sunrise to sunset. They have to have the slow-moving vehicle sign and a bike safety flag.”
Retirement communities in southern states like Florida have long allowed residents to use golf carts to run errands and visit friends. Iowa cities have had the authority to allow golf carts to drive and park on city streets since 1982, but interest in golf cart transportation has grown as Iowa’s elderly population has increased and gas prices have risen. Earlier this year officials in Eddyville moved to allow golf carts on city streets from dawn ’til dusk.