HF 2970

2nd Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to traffic regulations; requiring motorists to move to far left of roadway
before passing certain vehicles parked on the roadway; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2006, section 169.18, subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.18, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Keep to the right.

Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle
shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:

(1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction
under the rules governing such movement;

(2) when the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction
or repair;

(3) upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules
applicable thereon;

(4) upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic as a one-way
roadway; deleted text begin or
deleted text end

(5) as necessary to comply with subdivision 11 when approaching an authorized
emergency vehicle parked or stopped on the roadway deleted text begin . deleted text end new text begin ; or
new text end

new text begin (6) as necessary to comply with subdivision 12 when approaching a freeway service
patrol or road maintenance or construction vehicle parked or stopped on the roadway.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.18, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end

new text begin Passing parked road maintenance or construction vehicle; citation;
probable cause. new text end

new text begin (a) When approaching and before passing a freeway service patrol, road
maintenance, or construction vehicle with its warning lights activated that is parked or
otherwise stopped on or next to a street or highway having two lanes in the same direction,
the driver of a vehicle shall safely move the vehicle to the lane farthest away from the
vehicle, if it is possible to do so.
new text end

new text begin (b) When approaching and before passing a freeway service patrol, road
maintenance, or construction vehicle with its warning lights activated that is parked or
otherwise stopped on or next to a street or highway having more than two lanes in the
same direction, the driver of a vehicle shall safely move the vehicle so as to leave a full
lane vacant between the driver and any lane in which the vehicle is completely or partially
parked or otherwise stopped, if it is possible to do so.
new text end

new text begin (c) A peace officer may issue a citation to the driver of a motor vehicle if the peace
officer has probable cause to believe that the driver has operated the vehicle in violation of
this subdivision within the four-hour period following the termination of the incident.
new text end