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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 165--H.F.No. 108

An act

relating to traffic regulations; making seat belt violation a primary offense in all seating positions regardless of age; providing for increased speed limit when passing; making technical changes;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 169.14, by adding a subdivision; 169.686, subdivisions 1, 2, by adding a subdivision; 171.05, subdivision 2b; 171.055, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.14, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 2a. new text end

new text begin Increased speed limit when passing. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding subdivision 2, the speed limit is increased by ten miles per hour over the posted speed limit when the driver: new text end

new text begin (1) is on a two-lane highway having one lane for each direction of travel; new text end

new text begin (2) is on a highway with a posted speed limit that is equal to or higher than 55 miles per hour; new text end

new text begin (3) is overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction of travel; and new text end

new text begin (4) meets the requirements in section 169.18. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.686, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Seat belt requirement.

(a) new text begin Except as provided in section 169.685, new text end a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt, including both the shoulder and lap belt when the vehicle is so equipped, shall be worn bydeleted text begin :deleted text end

deleted text begin (1)deleted text end the driver new text begin and passengers new text end of a passenger vehicle deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin , new text end commercial motor vehiclenew text begin , type III vehicle, and type III Head Start vehiclenew text end deleted text begin ;deleted text end

deleted text begin (2) a passenger riding in the front seat of a passenger vehicle or commercial motor vehicle; and deleted text end

deleted text begin (3) a passenger riding in any seat of a passenger vehicle who is older than three but younger than 11 years of agedeleted text end .

(b) A person who is 15 years of age or older and who violates paragraph (a)deleted text begin , clause (1) or (2),deleted text end is subject to a fine of $25. The driver of the deleted text begin passenger vehicle or commercial motordeleted text end vehicle in which deleted text begin the violation occurreddeleted text end new text begin a violation occursnew text end is subject to a $25 fine for deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin each new text end violation of paragraph (a)deleted text begin , clause (2) or (3),deleted text end by new text begin the driver or by new text end a deleted text begin child of the driverdeleted text end new text begin passenger new text end under the age of 15 deleted text begin or any child under the age of 11. A peace officer may not issue a citation for a violation of this section unless the officer lawfully stopped or detained the driver of the motor vehicle for a moving violation other than a violation involving motor vehicle equipmentdeleted text end . The Department of Public Safety shall not record a violation of this subdivision on a person's driving record.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective June 9, 2009, and applies to acts committed on or after that date. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.686, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 1a. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given. new text end

new text begin (b) "Passenger vehicle" means: new text end

new text begin (1) a passenger automobile defined in section 168.002, subdivision 24; new text end

new text begin (2) a pickup truck; new text end

new text begin (3) a van; new text end

new text begin (4) a commuter van, as defined in section 168.126; and new text end

new text begin (5) a recreational vehicle, as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 27. new text end

new text begin (c) "Passenger vehicle" does not include a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, bus, school bus, a vehicle designed to operate exclusively on railroad tracks, a farm truck as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 8, or special mobile equipment as defined in section 168.002, subdivision 31. new text end

new text begin (d) "Pickup truck" means a truck, regardless of manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity, that is commonly known as a pickup truck. new text end

new text begin (e) "Van" means a vehicle, regardless of the manufacturer's nominal rated carrying capacity, of a box-like design that (1) has no barrier or separation between the operator's area and the remainder of the cargo-carrying area, or (2) is designed to carry 15 or fewer passengers, including the driver. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective June 9, 2009. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.686, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Seat belt exemptions.

This section shall not apply to:

(1) a person driving a passenger vehicle in reverse;

(2) a person riding in a deleted text begin seatdeleted text end new text begin vehicle new text end in which all the seating positions equipped with safety belts are occupied by other personsnew text begin in safety beltsnew text end ;

(3) a person who is in possession of a written certificate from a licensed physician verifying that because of medical unfitness or physical disability the person is unable to wear a seat belt;

(4) a person who is actually engaged in work that requires the person to alight from and reenter a motor vehicle at frequent intervals and who, while engaged in that work, does not drive or travel in that vehicle at a speed exceeding 25 miles per hour;

(5) a rural mail carrier of the United States Postal Service while in the performance of duties;

(6) a person driving or riding in a passenger vehicle manufactured before January 1, 1965; and

(7) a person driving or riding in a pickup truckdeleted text begin , as defined in section deleted text end deleted text begin 168.002, deleted text end deleted text begin subdivision 26deleted text end deleted text begin ,deleted text end while engaged in normal farming work or activity.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.05, subdivision 2b, is amended to read:

Subd. 2b.

Instruction permit use by person under age 18.

(a) This subdivision applies to persons who have applied for and received an instruction permit under subdivision 2.

(b) The permit holder may, with the permit in possession, operate a motor vehicle, but must be accompanied by and be under the supervision of a certified driver education instructor, the permit holder's parent or guardian, or another licensed driver age 21 or older. The supervisor must occupy the seat beside the permit holder.

(c) deleted text begin The permit holder may operate a motor vehicle only when every occupant under the age of 18 has a seat belt or child passenger restraint system properly fastened. A person who violates this paragraph is subject to a fine of $25. A peace officer may not issue a citation for a violation of this paragraph unless the officer lawfully stopped or detained the driver of the motor vehicle for a moving violation as defined in section 171.04, subdivision 1. The commissioner shall not record a violation of this paragraph on a person's driving record.deleted text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end The permit holder may not operate a vehicle while communicating over, or otherwise operating, a cellular or wireless telephone, whether handheld or hands free, when the vehicle is in motion. The permit holder may assert as an affirmative defense that the violation was made for the sole purpose of obtaining emergency assistance to prevent a crime about to be committed, or in the reasonable belief that a person's life or safety was in danger. Violation of this paragraph is a petty misdemeanor subject to section 169.89, subdivision 2.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end The permit holder must maintain a driving record free of convictions for moving violations, as defined in section 171.04, subdivision 1, and free of convictions for violation of section 169A.20, 169A.33, 169A.35, or sections 169A.50 to 169A.53. If the permit holder drives a motor vehicle in violation of the law, the commissioner shall suspend, cancel, or revoke the permit in accordance with the statutory section violated.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective June 9, 2009, and applies to acts committed on or after that date. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 171.055, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Use of provisional license.

(a) deleted text begin A provisional license holder may operate a motor vehicle only when every occupant under the age of 18 has a seat belt or child passenger restraint system properly fastened. A person who violates this paragraph is subject to a fine of $25. A peace officer may not issue a citation for a violation of this paragraph unless the officer lawfully stopped or detained the driver of the motor vehicle for a moving violation as defined in section 171.04. The commissioner shall not record a violation of this paragraph on a person's driving record.deleted text end

deleted text begin (b)deleted text end A provisional license holder may not operate a vehicle while communicating over, or otherwise operating, a cellular or wireless telephone, whether handheld or hands free, when the vehicle is in motion. The provisional license holder may assert as an affirmative defense that the violation was made for the sole purpose of obtaining emergency assistance to prevent a crime about to be committed, or in the reasonable belief that a person's life or safety was in danger. Violation of this paragraph is a petty misdemeanor subject to section 169.89, subdivision 2.

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (b) new text end If the holder of a provisional license during the period of provisional licensing incurs (1) a conviction for a violation of section 169A.20, 169A.33, 169A.35, or sections 169A.50 to 169A.53, (2) a conviction for a crash-related moving violation, or (3) more than one conviction for a moving violation that is not crash related, the person may not be issued a driver's license until 12 consecutive months have expired since the date of the conviction or until the person reaches the age of 18 years, whichever occurs first.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (c) new text end For the first six months of provisional licensure, a provisional license holder may not operate a motor vehicle carrying more than one passenger under the age of 20 years who is not a member of the holder's immediate family. For the second six months, the holder of the license may not operate a motor vehicle that is carrying more than three passengers who are under the age of 20 years and who are not members of the holder's immediate family. This paragraph does not apply if the provisional license holder is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

deleted text begin (e)deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end For the first six months of provisional licensure, a provisional license holder may operate a motor vehicle between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m. only when the license holder is:

(1) driving between the license holder's home and place of employment;

(2) driving between the license holder's home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation;

(3) driving for employment purposes; or

(4) accompanied by a licensed driver at least 25 years of age.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective June 9, 2009, and applies to acts committed on or after that date. new text end

Presented to the governor May 20, 2009

Signed by the governor May 21, 2009, 10:39 a.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes