(a) For the purposes of this section, “electric personal assistive mobility device” means a self-balancing device unsuitable for operation on public highways having two nontandem wheels and designed to transport one person with an electric propulsion system equipped with a device that limits the maximum speed of such device to not more than fifteen miles per hour.
(b) Each electric personal assistive mobility device shall be equipped with front, rear and side reflectors and a system that, when employed, will enable the operator to bring the device to a controlled stop. If such device is operated between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, it shall display a lamp emitting a white light which, while such device is in motion, illuminates the area in front of the operator and is visible from a distance of three hundred feet in front of and from the sides of such device.
(c) An operator of an electric personal assistive mobility device is not required to obtain an operator's license and such device is not required to be registered as a motor vehicle when such device is operated in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(d) Any person sixteen years of age or older who has disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk, as defined in 23 CFR Part 1235.2 and who has been issued a placard pursuant to the provisions of section 14-253a may operate an electric personal assistive mobility device on any sidewalk or on a highway for the purposes of crossing the highway at a crosswalk, when practicable, or at an angle of approximately ninety degrees to the direction of the highway at a location at which there are no obstructions that may prevent an expedient and safe crossing provided such device is completely stopped before entering the traveled portion of the highway and the operator yields the right-of-way to any motor vehicle using such highway. Any such operator shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on a sidewalk or highway.
(e) No person may operate such device on a limited access state highway, as defined in section 13a-1.
(f) No person may operate an electric personal assistive mobility device at a rate of speed exceeding fifteen miles per hour.
(g) Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
(May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7, S. 67.)
History: May 9 Sp. Sess. P.A. 02-7 effective August 15, 2002.