SF 3632

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/20/2018 09:31am

A bill for an act
relating to motor vehicles; regulating autonomous vehicles; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2016, sections 169.011, by adding subdivisions; 169.13, subdivision 3;
169.18, subdivision 8; 169.468, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for
new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 174.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 24a. new text end

new text begin Driver-assistive platooning system. new text end

new text begin "Driver-assistive platooning system"
means technology that integrates sensor array, wireless communication, vehicle controls,
and specialized software to synchronize acceleration and braking between two or more
vehicles.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 31a. new text end

new text begin Fully automated vehicle. new text end

new text begin "Fully automated vehicle" means a motor vehicle
equipped with an automated driving system, designed to function without an operator, and
classified as level four or level five by SAE J3016.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.011, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 69b. new text end

new text begin SAE J3016. new text end

new text begin "SAE J3016" means the "Taxonomy and Definitions for Terms
Related to Driving Automation Systems for On-Road Motor Vehicles" published by SAE
International in September 2016.
new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.13, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Application.

(a) The provisions of this section apply, but are not limited in
application, to any person who drives any vehicle in the manner prohibited by this section:

(1) upon the ice of any lake, stream, or river, including but not limited to the ice of any
boundary water; or

(2) in a parking lot ordinarily used by or available to the public though not as a matter
of right, and a driveway connecting the parking lot with a street or highway.

(b) This section does not apply to:

(1) an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when
in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator;

(2) the emergency operation of any vehicle when avoiding imminent danger; or

(3) any raceway, racing facility, or other public event sanctioned by the appropriate
governmental authority.

(c) Nothing in this section or section 609.035 or 609.04 shall limit the power of the state
to prosecute or punish a person for conduct that constitutes any other crime under any other
law of this state.

new text begin (d) A person does not violate this section solely because the person is relying upon an
automated driving system to drive the motor vehicle, as permitted under section 174.46.
new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.18, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Following vehicle too closely.

(a) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow
another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed
of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the conditions of the highway.

(b) The driver of any motor vehicle drawing another vehicle, or the driver of any motor
truck or bus, when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district, shall
not follow within 500 feet of another vehicle. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be
construed to prevent overtaking and passing nor shall the same apply upon any lane specially
designated for use by motor trucks.

(c) The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow within 500 feet of an authorized
emergency vehicle that is traveling in response to an emergency.

new text begin (d) A vehicle equipped with a driver-assistive platooning system may follow other
vehicles at a distance that is less than the minimum distance required under paragraph (a)
or (b) if the vehicle is using synchronized acceleration and braking.
new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.468, is amended by adding a subdivision to
read:

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Exemptions to federal motor vehicle safety standards. new text end

new text begin A vehicle that has
received an exemption from the United States secretary of transportation from the motor
vehicle safety standards under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966,
Public Law 89–563, is deemed to conform with the motor vehicle safety rules under this
section.
new text end

Sec. 7.

new text begin [174.46] AUTOMATED VEHICLE TESTING.
new text end

new text begin The commissioners of public safety and transportation may authorize the testing of fully
automated vehicles that do not meet the requirements of chapters 169 and 171. A fully
automated vehicle must meet the motor vehicle safety standards under the National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, Public Law 89–563, or receive an exemption from
the United States secretary of transportation. A person who engages the automated driving
system, regardless of whether the person is physically present in the vehicle, is the driver
of the vehicle.
new text end