HF 3035

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 04/28/2012 03:13pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; motor vehicles; traffic regulations; adding requirements
for driver feedback and safety-monitoring equipment; providing for annual
reporting; amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 169.71, subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, 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 deleted text begin mounted immediately
behind, slightly above, or slightly below deleted text end new text begin attached to new text end 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.

new text begin (d) The following additional requirements apply to driver feedback and
safety-monitoring equipment under paragraph (a), clause (2):
new text end

new text begin (1) driver feedback and safety-monitoring equipment shall be smaller than 1-1/4
inches tall, 1-1/2 inches wide, and one inch in depth; and
new text end

new text begin (2) all driver feedback and safety-monitoring devices shall:
new text end

new text begin (i) be licensed annually for use in Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (ii) be made available for inspection;
new text end

new text begin (iii) focus solely on the person operating the vehicle; and
new text end

new text begin (iv) 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.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin SAFETY-MONITORING EQUIPMENT DATA COLLECTION.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Data collection. new text end

new text begin The Department of Public Safety shall require
collection of information recorded by driver feedback and safety-monitoring equipment
and compile the information for safety analysis. The commissioner shall report findings
from the driver feedback and safety-monitoring equipment to the chairs and ranking
minority members of the senate and house of representatives committees having
jurisdiction over public safety on or before July 1 in each even-numbered calendar year.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Reporting. new text end

new text begin Any for-hire motor carrier under Minnesota Statutes, section
221.012, subdivision 14, and any motor carrier of railroad employees under Minnesota
Statutes 221.012, subdivision 27a, that equips vehicles with safety-monitoring equipment
shall provide an annual report to the commissioner of public safety. The report shall
contain:
new text end

new text begin (1) complete image and audio recordings captured by each licensed monitoring
device, as well as any other appropriate information recorded, described in total hours in
operation and total time images were recorded;
new text end

new text begin (2) a summary of the total number of recorded incidents that involved a traffic
violation, collision, or other dangerous incident;
new text end

new text begin (3) a compliance statement detailing efforts taken to ensure the driver's right to
provide information or statements concerning images and information recorded by
driver-monitoring equipment; and
new text end

new text begin (4) a compliance statement detailing efforts taken to ensure driver and passenger
privacy rights.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Exceptions. new text end

new text begin The reporting requirements under subdivision 2 do not apply
to small vehicle passenger service providers under Minnesota Statutes, section 221.012,
subdivision 38, or to the types of intrastate transportation described in Minnesota Statutes,
section 221.025.
new text end