North Baltimore Chief of Police Allan Baer released the following statement regarding the operation of ATV’s (4-wheelers) and Golf Carts (Low Speed Vehicles):
STATE OF OHIO rules for off-highway vehicles (ATV’s) and low-speed vehicles (golf carts and side by side utility vehicles with a bed).
Low-Speed Vehicles (golf-carts)
As enacted effective January 1st, 2017 by the State of Ohio, low-speed vehicles are not permitted to be operated on public roadways (highways, streets, and alleys) UNLESS a specific local ordinance permitting such operation is enacted by the village. If such an ordinance is enacted, low-speed vehicles must be, per BMV regulations, properly equipped (headlights, tail lights, mirrors, etc.) , inspected, registered (licensed) and insured. Unless and until such an ordinance is enacted, NO low speed vehicles are permitted on village streets, again, per state code.
Off-Highway Vehicles (ATV’s)
As has been the case for many years now, OHV’s are not permitted to be operated on public roadways, streets, and alleys within the village. This includes riding directly from your residence to the village limit, gas station, or friend’s house. When ridden anywhere within the State of Ohio on publicly accessible land, OHV’s are required to be equipped with a headlight, tail light, muffler and registered with the BMV.
These regulations were passed by the State of Ohio as a public safety measure. Operating of an OHV or low-speed vehicle on a roadway is inherently more dangerous than operation of a car. In the case of accident, the operator of an OHV or low-speed vehicle is MUCH more likely to be gravely injured. It is only after careful consideration that a local municipality (village) may pass an ordinance allowing the operation of low-speed vehicles (golf carts), but not OHV’s (ATV’s) within the village.
Links to related reference in the Ohio Revised Code:
Editor added photo by Duncan Brown Hastings, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
4 Responses
Is the city working on an ordinance?
I would like to know how the village is going to address a registered snowmobile entering town, driving responsible at a low speed, at a respectful time of the day for the purpose of refueling.
GOOD, cause the majority of these do NOT follow the standard driving rules. Then there are the ones who do. Hopefully it wail make it safe for all who want/choose to uses these on the streets, and for regular automobile drives. Oh, and hope the PD enforces and fines ones who do not follow these new rules.
STATE Laws about golf carts and ATV’s being operated on public roads in the State of Ohio have changed! If you want to run your golf cart or ATV on the road, it must now be street legal and registered AND a community MUST approve the use of said vehicles on public streets through legislation. AND – due to the vehicles being registered, they must then therefore be insured AND operated by a LICENSED and insured driver! AND golf carts MUST obey ALL traffic laws and Rules of the Road. This change in the law was done for OUR protection. You can buy a kit for making a golf cart street legal for about $150.00. You can have the kit installed for another $150.00