Man's plan for carts shoots a hole-in-one<br/><span class='hl2'>Town passes new law allowing use on streets.</span>

HOBART — Horses might soon be strolling Oklahoma's downtown streets again if gasoline prices continue to soar. For now, at least one small town is turning to golf carts.

Hobart's city council unanimously approved an ordinance this week that will allow licensed drivers to operate golf carts on city streets in order to combat rising gas prices. The ordinance — possibly the first of its kind in Oklahoma — will take effect in 30 days.

"I thought it was a pretty neat idea,” Hobart Police Chief Dale Uptergrove said Wednesday. "I don't think it will increase our workload all that much. There are probably some older folks in town who are on tight budgets that this might help.

"So I think it's a great idea.”

Retiree Kent Preston first pitched the idea to use electric-powered golf carts around Hobart to City Manager Wilt Brown. Preston stumbled onto the thought about a year ago when a close friend began to battle macular degeneration. He watched as driving became a serious issue.

"I thought a golf cart would be a good way to get around,” Preston said.

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