Peterborough Police Charge Low-Speed Vehicle Driver

A low-speed vehicle (LSV) driver in Peterborough has been charged for operating it on a city street on Monday.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Police Service.

Around 11:30 a.m., officers stopped the vehicle in the Barnardo Avenue and O’Carroll Avenue area.

The driver was charged under the Highway Traffic Act Regulation with:

  • Drive LSV not in accordance with the regulation

  • Owner operate a LSV on a highway with no insurance

Peterborough Police Service Traffic Management Unit Officers remind the public about the rules around low-speed vehicles.

Low-speed vehicles are defined as:

  • designed for use primarily on streets and roads where access and the use of other prescribed classes of vehicles are controlled by law or agreement,

  • travels on four wheels,

  • powered by an electric power train (an electric motor and, if present, a transmission) that is designed to allow the vehicle to attain a speed of 32 km/h but not more than 40 km/h in a distance of 1.6 km on a paved level surface,

  • not using fuel as an on-board source of energy, and

  • having a GVWR of less than 1 361 kg; 

“The Traffic Management Unit has learned in some cases these vehicles are being called ‘enclosed mobility devices’ which is not correct,” according to a statement in a press release. “As they are considered low-speed vehicles they can only be operated on municipal roadways if the municipality has a by-law allowing for such activity.  In Peterborough, such a by-law does not exist, therefore anyone using them on roadways will be stopped and could face charges under the Highway Traffic Act Regulations.”

Anyone who operates an LSV on a highway may be subject to an automatic court appearance in the form of a summons, with fines ranging from $250 to $ 2,500.

Traffic complaints or concerns can be filed with the Traffic Management Unit and fill out the Driving Complaint Report. Dial 9-1-1 if the situation is an emergency.

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