Media Release for Thursday, June 12, 2025

Calls for Service:
(June 11 at 8:00am – June 12 at 8:00am) 108

Low Speed Vehicles Enforcement

Officers with the Peterborough Police Service Traffic Management Unit are reminding residents about the rules around low-speed vehicles (LSV) after a traffic stop Monday.

At approximately 11:30am on June 9, 2025, officers stopped a low-speed 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

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.  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.  Any person who operates a LSV on a highway may be subject to an automatic court appearance in the form of a summons where the fines can range from $250 -$2500. 

If you have a traffic complaint or concern you can reach out to the Traffic Management Unit at www.peterboroughpolice.com/online-reporting and fill out the Driving Complaint Report. 
If it is an emergency call 9-1-1.

Low-Speed Vehicles O Reg 215/17 Highway Traffic Act: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/170215

Information on the Provincial Pilot Program for Low-Speed Vehicles: https://www.ontario.ca/page/low-speed-vehicle-pilot-program  (*Peterborough is not a participating community)

Sandra Dueck
Manager, Strategic Communication Services
Peterborough Police Service
sdueck@peterborough.ca
705-876-1122 x217