HF 1280

1st Engrossment - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/18/2013 04:50pm

A bill for an act
relating to motor vehicles; regulating use of driver feedback and
safety-monitoring equipment in certain vehicles; amending Minnesota Statutes
2012, section 169.71, subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 169.71, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Prohibitions generally; exceptions.

(a) A person shall not drive or
operate any motor vehicle with:

(1) a windshield cracked or discolored to an extent to limit or obstruct proper vision;

(2) any objects suspended between the driver and the windshield, other than:

(i) sun visors;

(ii) rearview mirrors;

(iii) driver feedback and safety-monitoring equipment when mounted immediately
behind, slightly above, or slightly below attached to the rearview mirror;

(iv) global positioning systems or navigation systems when mounted or located near
the bottommost portion of the windshield; and

(v) electronic toll collection devices; or

(3) any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield,
sidewings, or side or rear windows of the vehicle, other than a certificate or other paper
required to be so displayed by law or authorized by the state director of the Division of
Emergency Management or the commissioner of public safety.

(b) Paragraph (a), clauses (2) and (3), do not apply to law enforcement vehicles.

(c) Paragraph (a), clause (2), does not apply to authorized emergency vehicles.

(d) Driver feedback and safety-monitoring equipment under paragraph (a), clause
(2), installed in a motor carrier of railroad employees under section 221.0255 shall:

(1) be smaller than 1-1/4 inches tall, 1-1/2 inches wide, and one inch in depth;

(2) be licensed annually for use in Minnesota;

(3) be made available for inspection;

(4) focus solely on the person operating the vehicle; and

(5) not disperse or emanate any clear or colored light beam toward the driver or
occupant, or otherwise inhibit the driver's ability to safely operate the vehicle.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective August 1, 2014.