1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/15/2010 02:58pm
A bill for an act
relating to traffic regulations; modifying provisions governing operation of
wireless communications device while operating motor vehicle; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.475.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.475, is amended to read:
deleted text begin For purposes of this section, "electronic message"
means a self-contained piece of digital communication that is designed or intended to
be transmitted between physical devices. An electronic message includes, but is not
limited to, e-mail, a text message, an instant message, a command or request to access
a World Wide Web page, or other data that uses a commonly recognized electronic
communications protocol. An electronic message does not include voice or other data
transmitted as a result of making a phone call, or data transmitted automatically by a
wireless communications device without direct initiation by a persondeleted text end .
No person may operate a motor vehicle while using a
wireless communications device deleted text begin to compose, read, or send an electronic message,deleted text end when
the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic.
This section does not apply if a wireless communications
device is used:
(1) solely in a voice-activated or other hands-free modenew text begin by a person who is not a
school bus driver operating a school bus, an instruction permit holder, or a provisional
license holdernew text end ;
(2) deleted text begin for making a cellular phone calldeleted text end new text begin by the operator of an authorized emergency
vehicle in the performance of official dutiesnew text end ;
(3) deleted text begin for obtaining emergency assistance to (i) report a traffic accident, medical
deleted text end deleted text begin emergency, or serious traffic hazard, or (ii) prevent a crime about to be committeddeleted text end new text begin to
report an illegal activitynew text end ;
(4) deleted text begin in the reasonable belief that a person's life or safety is in immediate dangerdeleted text end new text begin to
summon medical emergency assistancenew text end ; or
(5) deleted text begin in an authorized emergency vehicle while in the performance of official dutiesdeleted text end new text begin to
attempt to prevent injury to a person or propertynew text end .