Golf carts got the green light to be driven on Live Oak streets after the city council voted on the first reading of a new ordinance Tuesday night.

Golf carts will be allowed to be driven on city streets and rights-of-way so long as the street is not a state road or highway that is maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation and the posted speed on the street is 25 miles per hour or less.

“I’m happy to see it pass,” said council president John Hale. “I think it will open the door for people to get around.”

Carts may be driven at night as long as it has headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield. The driver of the cart must be at least 16-years-old and have a valid driver’s license and possess liability insurance.

Council member Mark Stewart said he believes there are too many restrictions.

“I think it’s a doable thing,” Stewart said by phone Wednesday. “It seems like there are a lot of restrictions that might not be advantageous … I just want it to be practical.”

The original ordinance allowed carts to ride on sidewalks but was stricken after it was learned that Florida law does not allow them on sidewalks.

Resident Tammy Mobley said she opposes the ordinance and thinks it is going to cause more problems than it solves.

“I think this is going to open the city up to a huge problem,” she said. She said she owns a small scooter and compared what it would be like to have golf carts in the city.

“I’ve almost lost my life with it because people don’t pay attention,” said Mobley.

“I definitely think there’s a safety problem with it,” said resident Debbie Williams. “I think it’s going to be entertainment, joyriding for a lot of kids. I think it’s going to be abused.”

Councilman Bennie Thomas said there are steps to take if the ordinance is abused.

“Well if it’s going to be abused we can come back and modify it,” said Thomas.

The next reading of the ordinance will be June 9 at City Hall.