A recommendation to allow low-speed vehicles will be made before Christiansburg Town Council on Aug. 19.

Last month, an ad hoc committee, consisting of councilman and street committee member Brad Stipes, town planning commission member Wayne Booth and police Chief Mark Sisson, was appointed to look into the matter.

According to Virginia code, low-speed vehicles are legal for road use as long as they meet certain safety requirements. However, towns and cities reserve the right to disallow these vehicles in their locality if they deem them unsafe or a hindrance to traffic.

The committee met Thursday to discuss the ramifications of allowing or disallowing the vehicles, which sometimes are referred to as "golf cars." Proponents for allowing the vehicles say they are a good way for people to cut down on fuel costs when taking short trips in town.

"I don't want to put my family in one of them," said Mayor Richard Ballengee during the discussion.

Both the ad hoc committee and nonvoting council members in attendance agreed that low-speed vehicles may not be safe. Town Manager Lance Terpenny said his biggest concern is that the vehicles are not required to be inspected, according to Virginia code.

"The state does not always pass legislation that is in the best interest of local government," Terpenny said.

While the committee had reservations about the safety of the vehicles, members also pointed to other vehicles that may be less safe but are allowed on the roads, such as motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds, the latter of which does not require a license to operate.

After discussing the safety and legal issues, the committee voted to take no restrictive action on allowing the low-speed vehicles. Still concerned with safety, Stipes suggested harsh penalties if a motorist is caught operating the vehicle in a 45 mph zone.

Christiansburg isn't the only New River Valley locality considering whether low-speed vehicles should be allowed on the roads. Pulaski Town Council directed the town's staff to conduct more research into a resident's proposal to bring golf carts to its town roads.