Enon under-speed vehicle law
Definition: A four-wheeled motorized vehicle such as a golf cart other than a truck that either is originally designed and constructed with a top attainable speed of 20 mph or less, or is not originally designed and constructed for operation on a street or highway. They're restricted to streets with speed limits of 35 mph or less. The operator must have a valid driver's license and adhere to all applicable traffic laws.
Vehicles must be/have:
• Inspected by jurisdiction’s police department ($10 fee in Enon).
• Titled by county Clerk of Courts Title Office.
• Insured with proof.
• Registered with a state deputy registrar.
• At least two working tail-lights with at least one rear brake light visible from 500 feet.
• Two headlights visible at 1,000 feet.
• Horn audible from 500 feet.
• Rear view mirror with unobstructed rear view.
• Windshield.
• Illuminated, electric or mechanical directional signals visible from front and rear.
• Two license plate mounting brackets, front and rear (rear illuminated legibly from 50 feet).
• Brakes sufficient to stop within 40 feet from a speed of 20 mph.
• Emergency brake sufficient to hold vehicle on any grade.
• Working exhaust system if engine-powered.
Enon drivers will soon share village roads with golf carts and similar vehicles, despite several protests and questions from residents.
Village Council members unanimously passed a measure Tuesday to allow under-speed vehicles to drive on many village streets.
A letter of jurisdiction defining where the vehicles can be operated and enforced will now be sent to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The ordinance will take affect in 30 days.
A handful of residents spoke out against the ordinance Tuesday, citing safety concerns and manpower issues for police, who would conduct required inspections and enforce the ordinance.
An under-speed vehicle must meet state equipment, titling, registration and insurance regulations and operators would need a valid driver’s license. The vehicle would be inspected for equipment compliance by the police department before titling for a fee set by the village.
“You’ve got a vehicle that’s traveling under 20 mph and you’re in a 35 mph zone. And you go around to pass it, the slow moving vehicle, and you get into an accident, then you’re at fault for it,” resident Paul Livingston said. “I think that just has potential for injury to our village residents and tying up our services for police and fire, if there’s an accident that could be avoided if we didn’t have this ordinance. I don’t see a benefit (to the village).”
Others asked if there was a genuine call for such an ordinance by village residents. Councilman Stephen Trout said he’d been asked by several people why it was needed.
“I say, ‘Why not?’ ” he said, explaining that it opens transportation options not available to residents before.
Other residents expressed concern that laws that currently outlaw the use of vehicles on village sidewalks and other properties would be overridden by the ordinance. Council members and village officials responded that all current laws remain in place and include under-speed vehicles.
Ordinance proponent Rick Hanna, a councilman and chairman of the village’s Streets and Sidewalks and Public Safety committees, said the ordinance includes more restrictions on such vehicles and could be a source of revenue for the village.
“We’re not creating wording on this particular ordinance, we’re taking the Ohio Revised Code and applying it to the village of Enon,” Mayor Tim Howard said.
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