Low Speed Vehicles for your Community

1. What is a Low Speed Vehicle?   Any four-wheeled electric vehicle capable of achieving a top speed between 20 and 25 mph. Low- speed Vehicles must comply with the safety standards (such as seat belts, turning signals, mirrors, licensed drivers, etc)  in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, sections 571.500 and Florida Statutes 320.01 and  316.2122 and be licensed as required under state guidelines. There is a significant difference between a traditional golf cart and a low speed vehicle, even through low speed vehicles may often look like golf carts. Additionally, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration limits LSV to those vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 3000 pounds.

2. Where is it Legal to Drive a Low Speed Vehicle?  Florida Statutes 316.2122 notes that a low speed vehicle may be operated only on roads as defined in F.S. 334.03 which includes a way open to the public, including but not limited to, a street, highway or alley.  The term includes associated sidewalks, the roadbed, the right-of-way, and all culverts, drains, sluices, ditches, water storage areas, waterways, embankments, slopes, retaining walls, bridges, tunnels and viaducts necessary for the maintenance of travel and all ferries used in connection therewith , but only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.   This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.

3. Can Local Governments Prohibit Low Speed Vehicles?  Yes, according to F.S. 316.2122, a county or municipality may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles on any road under its jurisdiction if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.

4. Can Municipalities Use Low Speed Vehicles?  With recent Florida legislation, municipalities are authorized to utilize Cruise Car’s low speed, street legal vehicles upon any state, county or municipal roads located within the corporate limits of such municipalities for municipal purposes, including, but not limited to: police patrol, traffic enforcement, and inspection of public facilities. Additionally, state employees, state park volunteers, and state park visitors are authorized to use Cruise Car’s low speed, street legal vehicles upon any public roads within the boundaries of state parks. (See FS 316.2126 effective July 1, 2009 for further clarification.)

5. What Grants are Available to Purchase Low Speed Vehicles for Governments?  Two current sources of available funding include:

• Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants; counties and cities with larger populations receive automatic funding; small locales will receive funds through the state of Florida on a competitive basis for fourteen eligible activities.  Visit http://www.eecbg.energy.gov for allocations.  Contact tony.morgan@eog.myflorida.com  for state grant application, guidance and timing.
• Federal Parks can explore the Alternative Transportation in Parks and Public Lands Grant, now renamed the Paul Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program. http://www.fla.dot.gov/funding/grants/grants financing 6106.html   

Consulting To Guide Your Community to a LSV  Sustainable Transportation Solution Is Available.  Please Contact Mary Anne G. Bowie, FAICP, Sustainability Leader, Eco Trans Alliance  Phone:   941.355-6371