An Act To Amend the Speed Limits for Low-speed Vehicles
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §101, sub-§32-A, as affected by PL 2003, c. 614, §9 and repealed and replaced by c. 688, Pt. B, §8 and affected by §9, is amended to read:
32-A. Low-speed vehicle. "Low-speed vehicle" means a 4-wheeled automobile that is able to attain a speed of at least 20 30 miles per hour on a level surface but not more than 25 35 miles per hour on a level surface and does not exceed 1,800 pounds in unloaded weight. "Low-speed vehicle" does not include an ATV as defined in Title 12, section 13001. A low-speed vehicle must be originally manufactured and maintained in accordance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards as a low-speed vehicle pursuant to 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 571.500, as amended.
Sec. 2. 29-A MRSA §2089, sub-§2, as enacted by PL 2003, c. 397, §10, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
2. Road restrictions; passing. The provisions of this subsection apply to the operation of a low-speed vehicle on roads and streets. A. A low-speed vehicle may be operated only on a road or street where the posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour or less. A low-speed vehicle may cross, at an intersection, a road or street with a posted speed limit of more than 45 miles per hour.
B. When 7 or more vehicles are directly behind a low-speed vehicle being operated on a road or street, the operator of the low-speed vehicle, as soon as practicable, shall move as far to the side of the road or street as may be done safely to allow the vehicles behind the low-speed vehicle to pass.
C. The department may prohibit the operation of a low-speed vehicle on any highway or segment of highway under its jurisdiction if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of public safety.
D. A municipality may prohibit the operation of a low-speed vehicle on any road or street under its jurisdiction if it determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of public safety.
summary
This bill amends the law regarding low-speed vehicles.
1. It increases the minimum and maximum speeds for low-speed vehicles to 30 and 35 miles per hour, respectively. It also eliminates a cross-reference to the federal regulations concerning low-speed vehicles since under those regulations the maximum attainable speed is 25 miles per hour.
2. It allows low-speed vehicles to be operated on streets or roads having a maximum posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour, instead of the current limit of 35 miles per hour.
3. It requires the operator of a low-speed vehicle to move to the side of the road, when it is safe and practicable to do so, to allow a line of 7 or more vehicles directly behind the low-speed vehicle to pass.