Foley has cleared the way for golf carts and other low-speed vehicles to use a stretch of Irwin Street after the City Council gave final approval to an ordinance lowering the road’s speed limit.
The new limit drops Irwin Street from 40 mph to 35 mph along the section running from West Azalea Avenue to West Michigan Avenue, west of Alabama 59. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the change is designed to give low-speed vehicle owners a way to reach nearby businesses without merging onto busier roads.
“That will make that street consistent with the requirements for these vehicles,” Hellmich said. “Any low-speed motor vehicle that’s approved by the state will be able to drive down it and reach some of the businesses without having to use busier streets. That’s one of the purposes of doing this.”
Under Alabama law, low-speed vehicles are defined as those with a top speed of 25 mph or less, and state law bars them from operating on roads where they would slow down traffic. Most cities, including Foley, generally keep low-speed vehicles off streets with posted limits above 35 mph, which made the previous 40 mph limit on Irwin Street a barrier for that class of vehicle.
Cities can open specific streets to low-speed vehicles as long as the vehicles meet certain safety standards, including working headlights, tail lights and turn signals. Drivers operating them on city streets are also required to hold a valid driver’s license.
City officials said the change reflects a broader shift toward low-speed vehicles among residents and visitors in Foley. By adjusting the Irwin Street limit, the city expects to make more of the area accessible to those drivers while easing congestion on higher-traffic routes nearby.