HF 614

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to motor vehicles; permitting display of
certain slow-moving vehicle signs that are visible at
night; removing obsolete language; making clarifying
changes; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section
169.522.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 169.522, is
amended to read:

169.522 SLOW-MOVING VEHICLE, SIGN REQUIRED.

Subdivision 1.

Displaying emblem; rules.

deleted text begin (a) deleted text end All
animal-drawn vehicles, motorized golf carts when operated on
designated roadways pursuant to section 169.045, implements of
husbandry, and other machinery, including all road construction
machinery, which are designed for operation at a speed of 30
miles per hour or less deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin , must new text end display a triangular
slow-moving vehicle emblem, except (1) when being used in actual
construction and maintenance work and traveling within the
limits of a construction area deleted text begin which is deleted text end marked in accordance with
deleted text begin requirements of deleted text end the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices,
as set forth in section 169.06, or (2) for a towed implement of
husbandry that is empty and that is not self-propelled, in which
case it may be towed at lawful speeds greater than 30 miles per
hour without removing the slow-moving vehicle emblem.

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Design and mounting. new text end

new text begin (a) new text end The emblem deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must
new text end consist of a fluorescent yellow-orange triangle with a dark red
reflective border and be mounted so as to be visible from a
distance of not less than 600 feet to the rear.

new text begin (b) The slow-moving vehicle sign may be visible at night as
a red-orange equilateral triangle with a red border from (1) 100
to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of a vehicle with
lawful low-beam headlights, and (2) 1,000 feet in ambient
lighting that is less than two lux when viewed from 1,000 feet
directly behind the vehicle and at any angle equal to or less
than 70 degrees from that point. The luminous intensity of the
red-orange triangle must be a minimum of 40 candelas/m2 and a
maximum of 80 candelas/m2. The luminous intensity may not vary
by more than ten percent, as measured by comparing the luminous
intensity of any two points on the triangle, viewed at any angle.
new text end

new text begin (c) new text end When a primary power unit towing an implement of
husbandry or other machinery displays a slow-moving vehicle
emblem visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear, it deleted text begin shall
deleted text end new text begin is new text end not deleted text begin be deleted text end necessary to display a similar emblem on the secondary
unit. deleted text begin After January 1, 1975,
deleted text end

new text begin (d) new text end All slow-moving vehicle emblems sold in this
state deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be so designed that when properly mounted they
are visible from a distance of not less than 600 feet to the
rear when directly in front of lawful lower beam of headlamps on
a motor vehicle.

new text begin (e) new text end The commissioner of public safety shall adopt standards
and specifications for the design and position of mounting the
slow-moving vehicle emblem. Such standards and
specifications deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be adopted by rule in accordance with
the Administrative Procedure Act. deleted text begin A violation of this section
shall not be admissible evidence in any civil cause of action
arising prior to January 1, 1970.
deleted text end

deleted text begin (b) deleted text end new text begin Subd. 1b. new text end [ALTERNATIVE EMBLEM.] An alternate
slow-moving vehicle emblem consisting of a dull black triangle
with a white reflective border may be used after obtaining a
permit from the commissioner under rules of the commissioner. A
person with a permit to use an alternate slow-moving vehicle
emblem must:

(1) carry in the vehicle a regular slow-moving vehicle
emblem and display the emblem when operating a vehicle between
sunset and sunrise, and at any other time when visibility is
impaired by weather, smoke, fog, or other conditions; and

(2) permanently affix to the rear of the slow-moving
vehicle at least 72 square inches of reflective tape that
reflects the color red.

Subd. 2.

Prohibition on use.

The use of this emblem
deleted text begin shall be deleted text end new text begin is new text end restricted to the slow-moving vehicles specified in
subdivision 1 and its use on any other type of vehicle or
stationary object on the highway is prohibited.

Subd. 3.

Display required.

No person shall sell, lease,
rent, or operate any slow-moving vehicle, as defined in
subdivision 1, except motorized golf carts and except those
units designed to be completely mounted on a primary power unit,
which is manufactured or assembled on or after July 1, 1967,
unless deleted text begin such deleted text end new text begin the new text end vehicle is equipped with a slow-moving vehicle
emblem-mounting device as specified in subdivision 1. Provided
however, deleted text begin no deleted text end new text begin a new text end slow-moving vehicle deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must not new text end be operated
without such slow-moving vehicle emblem deleted text begin after January 1, 1968 deleted text end .