Marble Hill may broaden what's allowed on streets

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The city of Marble Hill is considering an ordinance that would let people obtain licenses for utility vehicles and operate them within city limits, said Bollinger County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Gray.

An early draft of the ordinance involves a $15 licensing fee for vehicles such as golf carts, ATVs, four-wheelers and other motorized vehicles that operate with the use of a steering column, allowing the city to generate extra revenue.

Gray is helping the city write the ordinance. He cautioned that other measures were being discussed, such as requiring proof of insurance and use of turn signals for such vehicles.

"There was some interest in city about exploring an ordinance like this one, and a provision in state law allows cities to permit licensing for those types of vehicles," Gray said.

The matter is still being debated, Gray said.

According to state law, such vehicles are forbidden on streets and highways unless they are used for government or agricultural use, and the burden of proof lies on the driver to show they are using it for that purpose if stopped by police.

However, the law also allows a city or county to issue special permits authorizing use of utility vehicles within that jurisdiction.

Gray said he believes the ordinance targets both taxpayers concerned about the rising costs of gasoline and people who, having invested several thousand dollars in the purchase and maintenance of utility vehicles, wish to drive them in town.

According to Carr's Golf Carts in Farmington, Mo., golf carts get about 25 to 30 miles per gallon on gasoline.

Still, utility vehicles, which move more slowly than normal traffic, would be vulnerable to a collisions with a car or truck.

"Public safety concerns would be readily apparent to anyone," Gray said.

Insurance would not cover the use of a golf cart off of a golf course, regardless of whether the vehicle was licensed within the parameters of a city ordinance, said Alicia Robinson, spokeswoman for State Farm's Eastern Missouri field office in St. Louis.

Utility vehicles such as ATVs are insured for maintenance use and covered under homeżowners policies if used on the insured premises, but not for use on public streets as a form of transportation, Robinson said.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245

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