Minnesota Session Laws - 2018, Regular Session

CHAPTER 159--H.F.No. 3249

An act

relating to public safety; modifying provisions governing passing emergency vehicles stopped on a roadway;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.18, subdivisions 11, 12.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.18, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Passing parked emergency vehicle; citation; probable cause.

(a) When approaching and before passing an authorized emergency vehicle with its emergency 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 emergency vehicle, if it is possible to do so.

(b) When approaching and before passing an authorized emergency vehicle with its emergency 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 emergency vehicle is completely or partially parked or otherwise stopped, if it is possible to do so.

new text begin (c) If a lane change under paragraph (a) or (b) is impossible, or when approaching and before passing an authorized emergency vehicle with its emergency lights activated that is parked or otherwise stopped on or next to a street or highway having only one lane in the same direction, the driver of a vehicle must reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the conditions until the motor vehicle has completely passed the parked or stopped emergency vehicle, if it is possible to do so. new text end

deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end 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 or a receipt of a report under paragraph deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end . The citation may be issued even though the violation was not committed in the presence of the peace officer.

deleted text begin (d) deleted text end new text begin (e) new text end Although probable cause may be otherwise satisfied by other evidentiary elements or factors, probable cause is sufficient for purposes of this subdivision when the person cited is operating the vehicle described by a member of the crew of an authorized emergency vehicle responding to an incident in a timely report of the violation of this subdivision, which includes a description of the vehicle used to commit the offense and the vehicle's license plate number. For the purposes of issuance of a citation under paragraph deleted text begin (c) deleted text end new text begin (d) new text end , "timely" means that the report must be made within a four-hour period following the termination of the incident.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end For purposes of paragraphs (a) deleted text begin and (b) deleted text end new text begin to (c) new text end only, deleted text begin the terms deleted text end "authorized emergency vehicle" and "emergency vehicle" include a towing vehicle defined in section 168B.011, subdivision 12a, that has activated flashing lights authorized under section 169.64, subdivision 3, in addition to the vehicles described in the definition for "authorized emergency vehicle" in section 169.011, subdivision 3.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2018, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2016, section 169.18, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Passing certain parked vehicles.

(a) When approaching and before passing a freeway service patrol vehicle, road maintenance vehicle, utility company vehicle, 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 parked or stopped vehicle, if it is possible to do so.

(b) When approaching and before passing a freeway service patrol vehicle, road maintenance vehicle, utility company vehicle, 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 begin (c) If a lane change under paragraph (a) or (b) is impossible, or when approaching and before passing a freeway service patrol vehicle, road maintenance vehicle, utility company vehicle, or construction vehicle with its warning lights activated that is parked or otherwise stopped on or next to a street or highway having only one lane in the same direction, the driver of a vehicle must reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the conditions until the motor vehicle has completely passed the parked or stopped freeway service patrol vehicle, road maintenance vehicle, utility company vehicle, or construction vehicle, if it is possible to do so. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2018, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date. new text end

Presented to the governor May 16, 2018

Signed by the governor May 19, 2018, 4:38 p.m.