HF 836

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:42am

A bill for an act
relating to traffic regulations; amending speed limits on certain town roads;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.14, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.14, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Speed limits.

(a) Where no special hazard exists the following speeds
shall be lawful, but any speeds in excess of such limits shall be prima facie evidence
that the speed is not reasonable or prudent and that it is unlawful; except that the speed
limit within any municipality shall be a maximum limit and any speed in excess thereof
shall be unlawful:

(1) 30 miles per hour in an urban district or on a town road in a rural residential
district;

(2) 65 miles per hour on noninterstate expressways, as defined in section 160.02,
subdivision 18b, and noninterstate freeways, as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 19;

(3) 55 miles per hour in locations other than those specified in this section;

(4) 70 miles per hour on interstate highways outside the limits of any urbanized area
with a population of greater than 50,000 as defined by order of the commissioner of
transportation;

(5) 65 miles per hour on interstate highways inside the limits of any urbanized area
with a population of greater than 50,000 as defined by order of the commissioner of
transportation;

(6) ten miles per hour in alleys; and

(7) 25 miles per hour in residential roadways if adopted by the road authority having
jurisdiction over the residential roadway.

(b) A speed limit adopted under paragraph (a), clause (7), is not effective unless the
road authority has erected signs designating the speed limit and indicating the beginning
and end of the residential roadway on which the speed limit applies.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, "rural residential district" means the territory
contiguous to and including any town road within a subdivision or plat of land that is built
up with dwelling houses at intervals of less than 300 feet new text begin (1) new text end for a distance of one-quarter
mile or more new text begin , or (2) for the total length of the town road new text end .

(d) Notwithstanding section 609.0331 or 609.101 or other law to the contrary,
a person who violates a speed limit established in this subdivision, or a speed limit
designated on an appropriate sign under subdivision 4, 5, 5b, 5c, or 5e, by driving 20 miles
per hour or more in excess of the applicable speed limit, is assessed an additional surcharge
equal to the amount of the fine imposed for the speed violation, but not less than $25.