The Russell County Fiscal Court approved an ordinance yesterday that will allow special purpose vehicles, particularly side-by-sides, to be operated on county roadways, as long as they meet certain requirements.
The fiscal court approved the ordinance by a 4-1 vote, with 4th District Magistrate Steve Richardson voting in opposition. Richardson said he had concerns about the safety of people operating these vehicles on county roadways and that was the main factor in his “no” vote.
Judge Executive Randy Marcum questioned whether the cities would have to opt-in to permit these vehicles on city streets. County Attorney Kevin Shearer said his understanding is that cities would have to opt-in or opt-out as well. That would mean this ordinance would not permit these vehicles to be operated on city streets in Jamestown or Russell Springs.
According to the state law on the issue, these special-purpose vehicles must be insured, licensed at the county clerk’s office and inspected by the sheriff’s office before they can be operated on public roadways.
The vehicles must have the following equipment:
- One or more headlamps
- One or more tail lamps
- One or more brake lamps
- A trail lamp or other lamp constructed and placed to illuminate the registration plate with a white light
- One or more red reflectors on the rear of the vehicle
- An amber electric turn system, one on each side of the front of the vehicle
- Amber or red electric turn signals on the rear of the vehicle
- A braking system, other than a parking brake
- A horn or other warning device
- A working muffler
- Rearview mirrors on the right and left side of the driver
- A windshield, unless the operator of the vehicle wears eye protection while operating the vehicle
- A speedometer, illuminated for nighttime operation
- A roll bar or roll cage
- For multi-passenger vehicles a seatbelt assembly that conforms to the federal motor vehicle safety standard for each designated seating position
- Tires that have at least 2/32nd of an inch or greater tire tread
