ONTARIO – Ontario Council introduced legislation addressing how off-highway vehicles can be used on streets at its May 16 meeting.

The ordinance mentions snowmobiles, off-highway motorcycles and “all purpose vehicles,” which includes golf carts.

If passed, it would provide guidelines for where the vehicles can be driven and requirements for those vehicles. Ohio Revised Code addresses this, but it allows local authority to regulate permits.

Since Ontario currently doesn’t have any legislation on this topic, resident Craig Hunt was concerned. He wanted to make certain that it was legal to drive a golf cart on the road and asked council about this on several occasions.

“I just wondered if I could get clarity – if I was to buy one right now and run it right now, if I was legal or not,” Hunt said at the May 2 meeting. “It’s kind of clear as mud.”

Law director Andrew Medwid followed through on a promise to present legislation at the following meeting.

The proposed ordinance would require that any under-speed vehicle has a windshield, rearview mirror, “appropriate” tires, a “properly working” steering mechanism, adequate brakes and a braking system. It also must be equipped with properly working brake lights, headlights, tail lights and turn signals.

Furthermore, the vehicle must pass an inspection by the Ontario Police Force to determine if the vehicle meets the above requirements before it can be driven on the road.

When an inspection is passed, the safety service director Jeff Wilson should be notified via an approved form, and the operator must be able to present the form to law enforcement at any time.

Only then can the under-speed vehicles be driven on roads with speed limits up to 35 miles per hour. The vehicles should never be taken on roads with speed limits above 35 miles per hour, according to Medwid.

The penalties for anyone who violates the ordinance includes a minor misdemeanor on the first offense.

The legislation will be read a second time on Wednesday, June 6 and likely a third time on Wednesday, June 20 before council votes.