HF 3906

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/14/2016 12:46pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; governing vehicle lights and sirens during emergency
response by certain responders; amending Minnesota Statutes 2014, sections
169.64, subdivision 3, by adding a subdivision; 169.68; repealing Minnesota
Statutes 2014, section 169.58, subdivisions 2, 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.64, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Flashing lights.

new text begin (a) new text end Flashing lights are prohibited, except new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end on an authorized emergency vehicle, school bus, bicycle as provided in section
169.222, subdivision 6, road maintenance equipment, tow truck or towing vehicle, service
vehicle, farm tractor, self-propelled farm equipment, rural mail carrier vehicle, new text begin or new text end funeral
home vehicle deleted text begin , or deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) new text end on any vehicle as a means of indicating a right or left turn deleted text begin , or deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (3) new text end new text begin in new text end the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in
approaching, overtaking, or passing new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (4) as authorized in this section new text end .

new text begin (b) new text end All flashing warning lights deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end be of the type authorized by section
169.59, subdivision 4, unless otherwise permitted or required in this chapter.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.64, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 6a. new text end

new text begin Flashing lights for volunteer responders. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this
subdivision, "emergency responder" means:
new text end

new text begin (1) an active member of a volunteer fire department authorized by or contracting
with any city, town, or township in this state;
new text end

new text begin (2) an emergency medical first responder;
new text end

new text begin (3) an ambulance crew member; and
new text end

new text begin (4) a certificated volunteer ambulance driver.
new text end

new text begin (b) An emergency responder may operate a motor vehicle that is equipped with an
activated warning light, if the person (1) possesses a valid permit from the commissioner
of public safety; and (2) is responding to an emergency call in connection with duties as a
volunteer responder or has parked the vehicle in a location that poses a hazard to other
traffic in conjunction with duties as a volunteer responder.
new text end

new text begin (c) A warning light authorized under this subdivision:
new text end

new text begin (1) must be the color red or amber, or between the colors red and amber;
new text end

new text begin (2) may be solid, flashing, oscillating, alternating, or rotating;
new text end

new text begin (3) may be displayed to the front or rear of the vehicle, or both; and
new text end

new text begin (4) must meet the requirements of the commissioner under section 169.65.
new text end

new text begin (d) The commissioner of public safety may issue a permit under this subdivision
upon application, in the form and manner prescribed by the commissioner, of an eligible
emergency responder. An application must include a certification that the applicant is an
active volunteer or member, made by the chief of the fire department, ambulance director
or manager, or similar person with overall supervisory responsibility.
new text end

new text begin (e) A permit under this subdivision expires immediately upon termination of
volunteer membership or employment or when the person ceases operations as an
emergency responder. The chief of the fire department, ambulance director or manager,
or similar person with overall supervisory responsibility must immediately notify the
commissioner of public safety of the expiration.
new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.68, is amended to read:

169.68 HORN, SIREN.

(a) Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway must be equipped with
a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal
conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet. However, the horn or other warning
device must not emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a
motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible
warning with the horn, but shall not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway.

(b) A vehicle must not be equipped with, and a person shall not use upon a vehicle,
any siren, whistle, or bell, except as otherwise permitted in this section.

(c) It is permissible, but not required, for any commercial vehicle to be equipped
with a theft alarm signal device, so arranged that it cannot be used by the driver as an
ordinary warning signal.

(d) All authorized emergency vehicles must be equipped with a siren new text begin . A vehicle
operated by an emergency responder under section 169.64, subdivision 6a, may be
equipped with a siren. A siren under this paragraph must be new text end capable of emitting sound
audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet and new text begin be new text end of a type
conforming to the federal certification standards for sirens, as determined by the General
Services Administration. However, the siren must not be used except when the vehicle
is operated in response to an emergency call or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or
suspected violator of the law, in which latter events the driver of the vehicle shall sound
the siren when necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the vehicle's approach.

(e) It is permissible, but not required, for a bicycle to be equipped with a horn or bell
designed to alert motor vehicles, other bicycles, and pedestrians of the bicycle's presence.

Sec. 4. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 169.58, subdivisions 2 and 3, new text end new text begin are repealed.
new text end