(a) No person shall operate a low-speed vehicle upon any street or highway having an established speed limit greater than thirty-five miles per hour.
(b) No person shall operate an under-speed or utility vehicle or a mini-truck upon any street or highway except as follows:
(1) Upon a street or highway having an established speed limit not greater than thirty-five miles per hour and only upon such streets or highways where a local authority has granted permission for such operation in accordance with Section 4511.215 of the Ohio Revised Code.
(2) A state park or political subdivision employee or volunteer operating a utility vehicle exclusively within the boundaries of state parks or political subdivision park facilities.
(c) No person shall operate a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter upon any street or highway having an established speed limit greater than forty-five miles per hour, except as follows:
(1) A person operating a low-speed vehicle, under-speed, or utility vehicle or a mini-truck from proceeding across an intersection of a street or highway having a speed limit greater than thirty-five miles per hour;
(2) A person operating a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter from proceeding across an intersection of a street or highway having a speed limit greater than forty-five miles per hour.
(d) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (a) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(e) Definitions.
(1) "Golf cart" is defined as a vehicle powered by gas or electricity and is the type of vehicle typically operated on a golf course and includes under speed vehicles, with an attainable speed in one mile on a paved level surface of not more than twenty miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than three thousand pounds.
(2) "Low speed vehicle" is defined as a three or four wheeled motor vehicle with an attainable speed in one mile on a paved level surface of more than twenty miles per hour but not more than twenty five miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than three thousand pounds.
(3) "Utility vehicle" is defined as a self-propelled vehicle designed with a bed, principally for the purpose of transporting material or cargo in connection with construction, agricultural, forestry, grounds maintenance, lawn and garden, materials handling, or similar activity.
(4) "Operator" is defined as any person who operates or is in physical control of a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle.
(5) "Owner" is defined as any person or entity, other than a lien holder or dealer having title to a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle or legal rights to possession thereof.
(f) Equipment.
(1) Golf carts, utility vehicles, or other low speed vehicles operated on the streets, highways, and public property within the City of Rossford, Lucas County, Ohio, shall have a minimum of the following functional equipment thereon:
(i) At least one working rear red colored tail light (ORC 4509.071)
(ii) License plates in the front and rear of the golf cart, bracketed to the cart (ORC 4503.21)
(iii) A light to illuminate the rear license plate and make the plate legible from a distance of 50 feet (ORC 4513.05)
(iv) At least one working brake light (ORC 4513.071)
(v) Two headlights, white or clear in color (ORC 4513.04)
(vi) A working horn (ORC 4513.21)
(vii) A rearview mirror (ORC 4513.23)
(viii) A windshield (ORC 4513.24- glass or safety glass)
(ix) Windshield wiper (ORC 4513.24)
(x) Turn signals (ORC 4513.261)
(xi) Brakes sufficient to stop within 40 feet (ORC 4513.20)
(xii) An emergency brake sufficient to hold the vehicle on any grade (ORC 4513.20)
(xiii) Working exhaust system if the unit has an internal combustion engine (ORC 4513.22)
(xiv) One seatbelt per occupant of the cart
(xv) A child safety seat installed to manufacturer specifications for any occupant under the age of four or under forty pounds in weight
(xvi) A child booster safety seat installed to manufacturer specifications for any occupant between the ages of four and eight, or under 4' -9" in height
(2) Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(h) Licensing Requirements of Operator.
(1) The operator of a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on public roadways or on public property within the City of Rossford, Lucas County, Ohio shall have a valid driver's license.
(2) The operator of a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on public roadways within the City of Rossford, Wood County, Ohio shall be not less than 16 years of age.
(3) Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(i) Insurance Requirements of Owner and Operator.
(1) The owner of the golf cart, utility vehicle or other low speed vehicle that is driven on roadways or on public property within the City of Rossford, Lucas County, Ohio shall carry liability insurance thereon as required by ORC 4509.101 (A)(1).
(2) The owner of the golf cart, utility vehicle or other low speed vehicle on public roadways or on public property shall have in his possession proof of insurance while operating the golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle.
(3) Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(j) Inspection, Titling and Vehicle Registration Requirements.
(1) No person shall operate a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on public roadways or on public property within the City of Rossford, Wood County, Ohio without first obtaining an inspection by the Chief of Police (or his/her designee), the County Sheriff, or the law enforcement official of another jurisdiction within the State of Ohio to ensure compliance with State laws and this ordinance.
(2) No person shall operate a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on public roadways or on public property within the City of Rossford, Wood County, Ohio without a Certificate of Inspection in his/her possession.
(3) No person shall operate a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on public roadways or on public property without first obtaining a Certificate of Title from the clerk of Courts.
(4) No person shall operate a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on public roadways or on public property without first obtaining appropriate license plates from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Each license plate is to be bracketed to the front and rear of the vehicle.
(5) Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(k) Prohibited Acts.
(1) No person shall operate a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on public roadways or on public property within the City of Rossford, Wood County, Ohio without first ensuring all occupants are securely seated in a fixed seat wearing all available elements of a properly adjusted safety belt that is affixed to the vehicle.
(2) No person being the operator of a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on the public roadways or on public property within the City of Rossford, Wood County, Ohio, shall fail to wear all available elements of a properly adjusted safety belt that is affixed to the vehicle.
(3) No person, being a passenger of a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on the public roadways or on public property within the City of Rossford, Wood County, Ohio, shall fail to wear all available elements of a properly adjusted safety belt that is affixed to the vehicle.
(4) No person shall operate a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on restricted areas of the public bike path, except municipal employees operating municipal vehicles in accordance with their official duties.
(5) No person shall operate a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle on the public roadways or on public property within the City of Rossford, Wood County, Ohio, that has an attainable top speed in excess of 25 miles per hour on a public roadway or on public property.
(6) Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(l) Traffic Crash Reporting.
(1) The owner or operator of a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle involved in any traffic crash resulting in injury or death to any person shall immediately report the crash to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
(2) The owner or operator of a golf cart, utility vehicle, or other low speed vehicle involved in any crash resulting in damage to property of any person in excess of $100.00 shall report the crash within twenty-four hours to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
(3) Whoever violates this section shall be guilty of a first degree misdemeanor, and subject to a fine of not more than $1,000, and imprisonment of not more than six months.
(m) Inspection Process.
(1) The Rossford Police Department will inspect golf carts for City of Rossford residents upon appointment. Appointments must be made in advance. All requests for inspection will be forwarded to the Chief of Police or his/her designee for scheduling.
(2) The inspection fee shall be $20.00. Each re-inspection fee for golf carts that fail the initial and subsequent inspections is $35.00 for each inspection.
(3) Inspection fees may be paid in cash or check issued to the City of Rossford, Ohio. A non-refundable $35.00 fee will be charged for all NSF checks returned to the Village. If proper payment is not made for appropriate golf cart inspections, criminal charges may be filed on behalf of the City of Rossford, by a law enforcement officer of the Rossford Police Department.
(Ord. 2018-50. Passed 9-24-18.)