Brunswick Safety and Environment Committee amends proposal for low-speed vehicle ordinance

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick City Council will vote on an ordinance at a future meeting that would allow low-speed vehicles to drive on city streets in specific circumstances rather than prohibit it entirely. In May, an ordinance was proposed that would completely prohibit the operation of low-speed, under-speed utility vehicles or mini trucks on city streets, as defined in the Ohio Revised Code. The prohibition would apply to golf carts. The Safety and Environment Committee presented an amended version of the ordinance during its meeting Monday. It would allow low-speed vehicles to operate on city streets as long as the guidelines created by the city are met. The following would need to be adhered to if the proposed ordinance passes: The low-speed vehicle would need to comply with all applicable legal requirements, such as Ohio Revised Code section 4511.215. It could only be operated on streets with a speed limit of 25 mph or lower. The low-speed vehicle could cross, but not drive upon, streets with a speed limit of up to 35 mph. Crossing a street with more than three lanes at the point of crossing is only allowed at an intersection with a traffic signal. Police Chief Robert Safran said he does not think allowing low-speed vehicles like golf carts on city streets is a good idea. "With the number of traffic complaints we deal with, a little over 700 accidents a year in the city, I just think adding golf carts could be problematic," he said. Councilman at-Large Joe Delsanter said he understands the potential danger, but there is also danger when operating a motorcycle. "People who own these vehicles made a pretty compelling case that they're committed to following the rules as far as the qualifications of those vehicles," he said. "I guess in my case, I could not find where they were any worse than some of the already permitted vehicles that operate on our roads today." There are only a few vehicles in the city that would qualify for operation within the guidelines, Delsanter said. "It's highly unlikely they'll be traveling from other communities into our community," he said. "If they did, they would be forced to follow the rules by which we've set forth in this." The amended proposed ordinance was moved to the agenda for the next Council meeting. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.