(A) For the purposes of this section, an “under-speed vehicle” is defined under R.C. § 4501.01(XX) as a three or four-wheeled vehicle, including a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart, with an attainable speed on a paved level surface of not more than 45 miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 3,000 pounds.
(B) Any person driving an under-speed vehicle on or across public streets, roadways, and/or public property shall possess a valid vehicle operator's license (driver's license).
(C) If the under-speed vehicle is operated on or across the public streets, roadways and/or public property, the owner of the under-speed vehicle must carry liability insurance coverage comparable to that required under Ohio law for motor vehicles.
(D) When driving an under-spped vehicle on or across public streets, roadways, and/or public property, the operator of the under-speed vehicle must carry proof of such insurance.
(E) If the under-speed vehicle is to be driven on or across public streets, roadways, and/or public property, the under-speed vehicle must have the following equipment:
(1) Operational rear tail lights;
(2) Operational brake lights;
(3) Two operational headlights;
(4) A functional rearview mirror;
(5) Operational direction signals;
(6) Operational horn;
(7) One license plate, placed on the back of the under-speed vehicle, which must be displayed so that the license plate can be read as intended;
(8) The rear license plate must be illuminated so as to make the license plate visible and legible from a distance of at least 50 feet;
(9) Windshield made of glass or safety glass;
(10) Side mirrors; and
(11) Operational seat belts.
(F) Any under-speed vehicle being driven on or across public streets, roadways, and/or public property pursuant to this section shall observe all applicable traffic rules.
(G) Prior to operating an under-speed vehicle on or across public streets, roadways, and/or public property, the owner of the under-speed vehicle must present the under-speed vehicle to the Dennison Police Chief for inspection. The Chief of Police, or an officer designated by the Chief shall inspect the under-speed vehicle to ensure its compliance with this section. After inspection, titling and licensing, the owner shall obtain a validation certificate/sticker from the Dennison Police Chief. The validation certificate/sticker shall be mounted on the under-speed vehicle. The Dennison Police Chief shall keep and maintain a record of all under-speed vehicles inspected.
(H) After completing the inspection of the under-speed vehicle, the Dennison Police Chief shall provide the owner of the under-speed vehicle with a Certificate of Inspection if all required equipment is verified to be in place and operational. This certificate, along with other title evidence, may be presented to the Clerk of Courts Title Office in order to obtain a Certificate of Title for the under-speed vehicle.
(I) The Dennison Police Chief shall charge an inspection fee of $25 for each inspection of an under-speed vehicle.
(J) The inspection conducted by the Dennison Police Chief is not intended to be a safety inspection, but rather an inspection to solely determine if the under-speed vehicle is equipped with all of the equipment required in division (E) above. As such, neither the Village of Dennison, Ohio nor the Dennison Police Chief assume any responsibility for the functioning capacity and/or road-worthiness condition of each under-speed vehicle so inspected. As such, neither the Village of Dennison, Ohio nor the Dennison Police Chief, through the inspection process, make any representation or warranty as to the functioning capacity and/or roadworthiness condition of each under-speed vehicle so inspected.
(K) An under-speed vehicle, once properly licensed, may be operated on or across the streets or roadways located within the territorial limits of the Village of Dennison, Ohio.
(L) No person shall operate an under-speed vehicle on a public sidewalk or other walking path.
(M) A person operating an under-speed vehicle within the territorial limits of the Village of Dennison, Ohio shall ensure that the headlights of the under-speed vehicle are illuminated at all times of operation of the under-speed vehicle.
(N) Any person convicted of a violation of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor upon a first offense, and shall be fined not more than $150. Each offense thereafter shall be deemed a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, and shall be subject to a fine of not more than $250.
(Ord. 2851, passed 5-17-2023)