A bill signed into law on March 12, 2010 amends the law governing operation of Low-Speed Vehicles (previously “Neighborhood Electric Vehicles”) on certain highways, and gives municipalities some authority over this issue.

The new law redefines Neighborhood Electric Vehicles as Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs), conforming to the federal motor vehicle safety standards’ terminology and definition. It eliminates the requirement that LSVs be operated by electric power, and authorizes their operation on highways under the jurisdiction of a municipality or county with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less. The new law also allows LSVs to be operated at intersections crossing state trunk highways, connecting highways, expressways, freeways or controlled-access highways in certain circumstances. LSVs are limited to operating at a maximum of 25 miles per hour.

However, a municipality may adopt an ordinance that either prohibits LSVs from highways under its jurisdiction, or allows LSVs on any roadway within the municipality with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less, whether or not under the municipality’s jurisdiction.

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