Low-Speed Vehicle Safety, Registration, And Designated Parking Policy

Policy Number: 9.55.3
Effective Date: March 14, 2023
Revision History: Reviewed May 26, 2016
Policy Contact: Director of Operations

I. Purpose and Policy Statement

Georgia Gwinnett College recognizes the necessity and service provided by Low-Speed Vehicles (“LSV”), as defined by Georgia Department of Driver Services (“GDDS”) and establishes the following policy for safe use on campus.

II. Scope

This policy applies to any GGC employee, 3^rd party vendor, or structured volunteer program participant who uses low speed vehicles on the GGC campus.

III. Definitions

Low-Speed Vehicle: Any four-wheeled electric/gas vehicle whose top speed attainable in one mile is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour on a paved level surface and which is manufactured in compliance with those federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles set forth in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.500 and in effect on January 1, 2001.

IV. Low-Speed Vehicle Driver Eligibility

1. Eligible drivers include faculty, staff, student workers, and structured volunteer programs. Structured volunteer programs are only approved through Human Resources.  The Fleet Coordinator will verify with Human Resources to ensure compliance for structured volunteer drivers. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license. The Fleet Coordinator has the right to run an annual Motor Vehicle Records request on any eligible driver requesting driving privileges driving GGC vehicles.
2. Each GGC employee (including Student Workers) will complete the GGC Low-Speed Vehicle training before operating a GGC Low-Speed Vehicle. Each driver will comply with the Low-Speed Vehicle acknowledgement form which can be obtained from the Fleet Coordinator.

V. Low-Speed Vehicle Registration and Parking

1. Low-Speed Vehicles owned by Georgia Gwinnett College must be purchased by and registered with the Fleet Coordinator. Low-Speed Vehicles owned by on-campus-vendors/providers must be registered with the Fleet Coordinator. Each Low-Speed Vehicle will prominently display a registration number that will be installed by the Fleet Coordinator once the cart is registered.
2. All Low-Speed Vehicles will be parked and stored in approved locations by the Fleet Coordinator. See the Fleet Coordinator for Low-Speed Vehicle Designated Parking areas.

VI. Enforcement

The Fleet Coordinator will be responsible for reporting any violations of this policy to the Director of Operations. Consequences could include driving privileges being revoked for employees, and vendors could lose Low-Speed Vehicle privileges on campus.

VII. Rules to Operate Low-Speed Vehicles on Campus

1. Drivers of College-owned Low-Speed Vehicles will comply with the Uniform Rules of the Road except with regard to provisions that cannot apply to such vehicles by virtue of their nature.
2. All Low-Speed vehicles are entitled to full use of a lane, and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any low-speed vehicle of the full use of a lane.
3. The operator of a Low-Speed Vehicle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.
4. No person shall operate a Low-Speed Vehicle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.
5. Low-Speed Vehicles shall not be operated two or more abreast in a single lane.
6. Low-Speed Vehicles shall be operated only on any highway where the posted speed limit does not exceed 35 miles per hour.
7. The operator of a Low-Speed Vehicle shall not operate such vehicle on any highway where the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour.
8. Pedestrians on the GGC campus always have the right-of-way and operators of Low-Speed Vehicles will permit this right-of-way. If the Low-Speed Vehicle is being operated on a sidewalk, the operator will stop until pedestrians have safely passed.
9. Low-Speed Vehicles should be operated on campus streets when possible. Sidewalks should be used only where streets and/or parking lots are not available, and then only to the nearest adjacent street or parking lot. Operating a Low-Speed Vehicle on a sidewalk is permissible for police patrols and for workers having to transport equipment to or from a work site, but then only from the nearest street.