Prohibitions for Low-Speed Vehicles

Low-speed vehicles, with their reduced motor vehicle safety standards, are essentially less safe than standard vehicles, especially if operated in an illegal or unsafe manner. Drivers of low-speed vehicles must be fully aware of the different laws for low-speed vehicles and the restrictions.

Low-speed vehicles must only be able to travel at 25 miles per hour and are not to travel on any roadway with a speed limit exceeding 35 miles per hour. The only exception to this law is if the vehicle is driven in an area where a neighborhood electric vehicle transportation plan has been implemented, and the rules surrounding that plan advise otherwise.

Drivers of low-speed vehicles are only allowed to cross a roadway with a speed limit over 35 miles per hour if the roadway the driver is traveling on has a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less before and after the high-speed road intersection. The intersection described above must also occur at approximately 90 degrees, as diagonal intersections often require drivers to be in the middle of the intersection for larger stretches of road. This would require the low-speed vehicle driver to travel on a road with much faster traffic for longer.

Further, low-speed vehicles are not to cross any uncontrolled intersections with a state highway unless the intersection has been reviewed and approved by the agency that enforces traffic responsibilities for low-speed vehicles at that crossing.

The point that is arises with the prohibitions surrounding low-speed vehicles is that, a driver who chooses to travel by low-speed vehicle must not only be very aware of the laws which apply to his or her vehicle, but also the roads where he or she will travel. Having a good understanding of the roads and speed limits where the low-speed vehicle driver would like to drive is imperative to being comfortable and safe while driving.