SF 1869

as introduced - 81st Legislature (1999 - 2000) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to traffic regulations; allowing certain 
  1.3             lighting devices mounted on delivery vehicles; 
  1.4             requiring department of public safety to make 
  1.5             recommendations concerning allowable lighting; 
  1.6             amending Minnesota Statutes 1998, sections 169.55, 
  1.7             subdivision 1; and 169.58, by adding a subdivision. 
  1.8   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.9      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 169.55, 
  1.10  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.11     Subdivision 1.  [LIGHTS OR REFLECTORS REQUIRED.] At the 
  1.12  times when lighted lamps on vehicles are required each vehicle 
  1.13  including an animal-drawn vehicle and any vehicle specifically 
  1.14  excepted in sections 169.47 to 169.79, with respect to equipment 
  1.15  and not hereinbefore specifically required to be equipped with 
  1.16  lamps, shall be equipped with one or more lighted lamps or 
  1.17  lanterns projecting a white light visible from a distance of 500 
  1.18  feet to the front of the vehicle and with a lamp or lantern 
  1.19  exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to 
  1.20  the rear, except that reflectors meeting the maximum 
  1.21  requirements of this chapter may be used in lieu of the lights 
  1.22  required in this subdivision.  It shall be unlawful except as 
  1.23  otherwise provided in this subdivision, to project a white light 
  1.24  to the rear of any such vehicle while traveling on any street or 
  1.25  highway, unless such vehicle is moving in reverse.  A lighting 
  1.26  device mounted on top of a vehicle engaged in deliveries to 
  2.1   residences may project a white light to the rear if the sign 
  2.2   projects one or more additional colors to the rear.  An 
  2.3   authorized emergency vehicle may display an oscillating, 
  2.4   alternating, or rotating white light used in connection with an 
  2.5   oscillating, alternating, or rotating red light when responding 
  2.6   to emergency calls. 
  2.7      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1998, section 169.58, is 
  2.8   amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
  2.9      Subd. 4.  [SIGN ON VEHICLE.] A vehicle engaged in 
  2.10  deliveries to residences may display a lighting device mounted 
  2.11  on the vehicle, which may project a red light to the front if 
  2.12  the sign projects one or more additional colors to the front. 
  2.13     Sec. 3.  [RECOMMENDATIONS.] 
  2.14     The department of public safety shall review Minnesota 
  2.15  Statutes, sections 169.48 to 169.66, and any other sections of 
  2.16  law that relate to vehicle lighting, and shall, on or before 
  2.17  February 15, 2000, recommend to the legislature modifications in 
  2.18  the law or administrative procedure to: 
  2.19     (1) clarify types, colors, brightness, and placement of 
  2.20  allowable vehicle lighting; 
  2.21     (2) give adequate notice to the public and to law 
  2.22  enforcement concerning vehicle lighting that is in violation of 
  2.23  the law; 
  2.24     (3) ensure expedient administrative approval or disapproval 
  2.25  of lighting devices; and 
  2.26     (4) allow vehicles to display the maximum range of vehicle 
  2.27  lighting that is consistent with public safety. 
  2.28     Sec. 4.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
  2.29     This act is effective the day following final enactment.