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Chapter 169

Section 169.121

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169.121 Driver under influence of alcohol or controlled substance.

Subdivision 1. Crime; acts prohibited. It is a crime for any person to drive, operate, or be in physical control of any motor vehicle within this state or upon the ice of any boundary water of this state under any of the following circumstances:

(a) when the person is under the influence of alcohol;

(b) when the person is under the influence of a controlled substance;

(c) when the person is under the influence of a combination of any two or more of the elements named in clauses (a), (b), and (g);

(d) when the person's alcohol concentration is 0.10 or more but less than 0.20;

(e) when the person's alcohol concentration as measured within two hours of the time of driving, operating, or being in physical control of the motor vehicle is 0.10 or more but less than 0.20;

(f) when the person's alcohol concentration at the time, or as measured within two hours of the time, of driving, operating, or being in physical control of the motor vehicle is 0.20 or more;

(g) when the person is knowingly under the influence of a hazardous substance that affects the nervous system, brain, or muscles of the person so as to substantially impair the person's ability to drive or operate the motor vehicle; or

(h) when the person's body contains any amount of a controlled substance listed in schedule I or II other than marijuana or tetrahydrocannabinols.

Subd. 1a. Refusal to submit to testing; crime. It is a crime for any person to refuse to submit to a chemical test of the person's blood, breath, or urine under section 169.123.

Subd. 1b. Arrest. A peace officer may lawfully arrest a person for violation of subdivision 1 without a warrant upon probable cause, without regard to whether the violation was committed in the officer's presence.

When a peace officer has probable cause to believe that a person is driving or operating a motor vehicle in violation of subdivision 1, and before a stop or arrest can be made the person escapes from the geographical limits of the officer's jurisdiction, the officer in fresh pursuit of the person may stop or arrest the person in another jurisdiction within this state and may exercise the powers and perform the duties of a peace officer under sections 169.121 and 169.123. An officer acting in fresh pursuit pursuant to this subdivision is serving in the regular line of duty as fully as though within the officer's jurisdiction.

The express grant of arrest powers in this subdivision does not limit the arrest powers of peace officers pursuant to sections 626.65 to 626.70 or section 629.40 in cases of arrests for violation of subdivision 1 or any other provision of law.

Subd. 1c. Conditional release. (a) Unless maximum bail is imposed under section 629.471, subdivision 2, a person charged with a crime listed in this paragraph may be released from detention only if the person agrees to abstain from alcohol and submit to a program of electronic alcohol monitoring involving at least daily measurements of the person's alcohol concentration pending resolution of the charge. This paragraph applies only when electronic alcohol monitoring equipment is available to the court and only when a person is charged with:

(1) a violation of subdivision 1 or 1a within five years of two prior impaired driving convictions, or within ten years of three or more prior impaired driving convictions;

(2) a second or subsequent violation of subdivision 1 or 1a, if the person is under the age of 19 years;

(3) a violation of subdivision 1 or 1a, while the person's driver's license or driving privileges have been canceled under section 171.04, subdivision 1, clause (10);

(4) a violation of subdivision 1, clause (f); or

(5) a violation of section 169.129.

The court shall require partial or total reimbursement from the person for the cost of the electronic alcohol monitoring, to the extent the defendant is able to pay.

(b) Unless maximum bail is imposed under section 629.471, subdivision 2, a person charged with violating subdivision 1 or 1a within ten years of the first of three prior impaired driving convictions or within the person's lifetime after four or more prior impaired driving convictions may be released from detention only if the following conditions are imposed in addition to the condition imposed in paragraph (a), if applicable, and any other conditions of release ordered by the court:

(1) the impoundment of the registration plates of the vehicle used to commit the violation, unless already impounded;

(2) if the vehicle used to commit the violation was an off-road recreational vehicle or a motorboat, the impoundment of the off-road recreational vehicle or motorboat;

(3) a requirement that the alleged violator report weekly to a probation agent;

(4) a requirement that the alleged violator abstain from consumption of alcohol and controlled substances and submit to random alcohol tests or urine analyses at least weekly; and

(5) a requirement that, if convicted, the alleged violator reimburse the court or county for the total cost of these services.

Subd. 1d. First-time violator; off-road recreational vehicle or motorboat. A person who violates this section while using an off-road recreational vehicle or motorboat and who does not have a prior impaired driving conviction or prior license revocation is subject only to the criminal penalty provided in subdivision 3 and loss of operating privileges as provided in section 84.91, subdivision 1, or 86B.331, subdivision 1, whichever is applicable. The person is not subject to the provisions of subdivision 1c, 3b, 3f, 4, 5b, or 8, the license revocation sanctions of section 169.123, or the plate impoundment provisions of section 168.042.

Subd. 2. Evidence. (a) Upon the trial of any prosecution arising out of acts alleged to have been committed by any person arrested for driving, operating, or being in physical control of a motor vehicle in violation of subdivision 1, the court may admit evidence of the presence or amount of alcohol, controlled substances, or hazardous substances in the person's blood, breath, or urine as shown by an analysis of those items.

(b) For the purposes of this subdivision, evidence that there was at the time an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more is relevant evidence in indicating whether or not the person was under the influence of alcohol.

(c) Evidence of the refusal to take a test is admissible into evidence in a prosecution under this section or an ordinance in conformity with it.

(d) If proven by a preponderance of the evidence, it shall be an affirmative defense to a violation of subdivision 1, clause (e) or (f), that the defendant consumed a sufficient quantity of alcohol after the time of actual driving, operating, or being in physical control of a motor vehicle and before the administration of the evidentiary test to cause the defendant's alcohol concentration to exceed the level specified in the applicable clause. Evidence that the defendant consumed alcohol after the time of actual driving, operating, or being in physical control of a motor vehicle may not be admitted in defense to any alleged violation of this section unless notice is given to the prosecution prior to the omnibus or pretrial hearing in the matter.

(e) If proven by a preponderance of the evidence, it shall be an affirmative defense to a violation of subdivision 1, clause (h), that the defendant used the controlled substance according to the terms of a prescription issued for the defendant in accordance with sections 152.11 and 152.12.

(f) The preceding provisions do not limit the introduction of any other competent evidence bearing upon the question of whether the person violated this section, including tests obtained more than two hours after the alleged violation and results obtained from partial tests on an infrared breath-testing instrument. A result from a partial test is the measurement obtained by analyzing one adequate breath sample, as defined in section 169.123, subdivision 2b, paragraph (b).

Subd. 3. Criminal penalties. (a) As used in this section:

(1) "Prior impaired driving conviction" means a prior conviction under:

(i) this section; Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 84.91, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), or 86B.331, subdivision 1, paragraph (a); section 169.1211; section 169.129; or section 360.0752;

(ii) section 609.21, subdivision 1, clauses (2) to (6); subdivision 2, clauses (2) to (6); subdivision 2a, clauses (2) to (6); subdivision 2b, clauses (2) to (6); subdivision 3, clauses (2) to (6); or subdivision 4, clauses (2) to (6); or

(iii) an ordinance from this state, or a statute or ordinance from another state, in conformity with any provision listed in item (i) or (ii).

A prior impaired driving conviction also includes a prior juvenile adjudication that would have been a prior impaired driving conviction if committed by an adult.

(2) "Prior license revocation" means a driver's license suspension, revocation, cancellation, denial, or disqualification under:

(i) this section or section 169.1211, 169.123, 171.04, 171.14, 171.16, 171.165, 171.17, or 171.18 because of an alcohol-related incident;

(ii) section 609.21, subdivision 1, clauses (2) to (6); subdivision 2, clauses (2) to (6); subdivision 2a, clauses (2) to (6); subdivision 2b, clauses (2) to (6); subdivision 3, clauses (2) to (6); or subdivision 4, clauses (2) to (6); or

(iii) an ordinance from this state, or a statute or ordinance from another state, in conformity with any provision listed in item (i) or (ii).

"Prior license revocation" also means the revocation of snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle operating privileges under section 84.911, or motorboat operating privileges under section 86B.335, for violations that occurred on or after August 1, 1994; the revocation of snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle operating privileges under section 84.91; or the revocation of motorboat operating privileges under section 86B.331.

(b) A person who violates subdivision 1, clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), or (h), or subdivision 1a, or an ordinance in conformity with any of them, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(c) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor under any of the following circumstances:

(1) the person violates subdivision 1, clause (f);

(2) the person violates subdivision 1, clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), or (h), or subdivision 1a:

(i) within five years of a prior impaired driving conviction or a prior license revocation; or

(ii) within ten years of the first of two or more prior impaired driving convictions, two or more prior license revocations, or any combination of two or more prior impaired driving convictions and prior license revocations, based on separate incidents;

(3) the person violates section 169.26 while in violation of subdivision 1; or

(4) the person violates subdivision 1 or 1a while a child under the age of 16 is in the vehicle, if the child is more than 36 months younger than the violator.

A person convicted of a gross misdemeanor under this paragraph is subject to the mandatory penalties provided in subdivision 3d.

(d) The court shall notify a person convicted of violating subdivision 1 or 1a that the registration plates of the person's motor vehicle may be impounded under section 168.042 and the vehicle may be subject to forfeiture under section 169.1217 upon a subsequent conviction for violating this section, section 169.129, or section 171.24, or a subsequent license revocation under section 169.123. The notice must describe the conduct and the time periods within which the conduct must occur in order to result in plate impoundment or forfeiture. The failure of the court to provide this information does not affect the applicability of the plate impoundment or the forfeiture provision to that person.

(e) The attorney in the jurisdiction in which the violation occurred who is responsible for prosecution of misdemeanor violations of this section shall also be responsible for prosecution of gross misdemeanor violations of this section.

(f) The court must impose consecutive sentences when it sentences a person for a violation of this section or section 169.129 arising out of separate behavioral incidents. The court also must impose a consecutive sentence when it sentences a person for a violation of this section or section 169.129 and the person, at the time of sentencing, is on probation for, or serving, an executed sentence for a violation of this section or section 169.129 and the prior sentence involved a separate behavioral incident. The court also may order that the sentence imposed for a violation of this section or section 169.129 shall run consecutively to a previously imposed misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony sentence for a violation other than this section or section 169.129.

(g) When the court stays the sentence of a person convicted under this section, the length of the stay is governed by section 609.135, subdivision 2.

(h) The court may impose consecutive sentences for offenses arising out of a single course of conduct as permitted in section 609.035, subdivision 2.

(i) The court shall impose consecutive sentences for a violation of this section or section 169.129 and an offense listed in section 609.035, subdivision 2, paragraph (f), arising out of the same course of conduct, as required by section 609.035, subdivision 2, paragraph (g).

(j) When an attorney responsible for prosecuting gross misdemeanors under this section requests criminal history information relating to prior impaired driving convictions from a court, the court must furnish the information without charge.

(k) A violation of subdivision 1a may be prosecuted either in the jurisdiction where the arresting officer observed the defendant driving, operating, or in control of the motor vehicle or in the jurisdiction where the refusal occurred.

Subd. 3a. Repealed, 1Sp1997 c 2 s 69

Subd. 3b. Chemical use assessment. The court must order a person to submit to the level of care recommended in the chemical use assessment if the person has been convicted of violating:

(1) subdivision 1, clause (f); or

(2) subdivision 1, clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (g), or (h), subdivision 1a, section 169.129, an ordinance in conformity with any of them, or a statute or ordinance from another state in conformity with any of them:

(i) within five years of a prior impaired driving conviction or a prior license revocation; or

(ii) within ten years of two or more prior impaired driving convictions, two or more prior license revocations, or a prior impaired driving conviction and a prior license revocation, based on separate incidents.

Subd. 3c. Notice of enhanced penalty. When a court sentences a person for a violation of this section, it shall inform the defendant of the statutory provisions that provide for enhancement of criminal penalties for repeat violators. The failure of a court to provide this information to a defendant does not affect the future applicability of these enhanced penalties to that defendant.

Subd. 3d. Gross misdemeanor; mandatory penalties. (a) The mandatory penalties in this subdivision apply to persons convicted of a gross misdemeanor under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), or section 169.129.

(b) A person who is convicted of a gross misdemeanor under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), or is convicted of a gross misdemeanor violation of section 169.129 within five years of a prior impaired driving conviction or prior license revocation, must be sentenced to a minimum of 30 days imprisonment, at least 48 hours of which must be served consecutively, or to eight hours of community work service for each day less than 30 days that the person is ordered to serve in jail. Notwithstanding section 609.135, the above sentence must be executed, unless the court departs from the mandatory minimum sentence under paragraph (f) or (g).

(c) A person who is convicted of a gross misdemeanor under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), or is convicted of a gross misdemeanor violation of section 169.129 within ten years of two prior impaired driving convictions, two prior license revocations, or a combination of the two based on separate instances, must be sentenced to either:

(1) a minimum of 90 days incarceration, at least 30 days of which must be served consecutively in a local correctional facility; or

(2) a program of intensive supervision of the type described in section 169.1265 that requires the person to consecutively serve at least six days in a local correctional facility.

The court may order that the person serve not more than 60 days of the minimum penalty under clause (1) on home detention or in an intensive probation program described in section 169.1265. Notwithstanding section 609.135, the penalties in this paragraph must be imposed and executed.

(d) A person who is convicted of a gross misdemeanor under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), or is convicted of a gross misdemeanor violation of section 169.129 within ten years of three prior impaired driving convictions, three prior license revocations, or a combination of the two based on separate instances, must be sentenced to either:

(1) a minimum of 180 days of incarceration, at least 30 days of which must be served consecutively in a local correctional facility; or

(2) a program of intensive supervision of the type described in section 169.1265 that requires the person to consecutively serve at least six days in a local correctional facility.

The court may order that the person serve not more than 150 days of the minimum penalty under clause (1) on home detention or in an intensive probation program described in section 169.1265. Notwithstanding section 609.135, the penalties in this paragraph must be imposed and executed.

(e) A person who is convicted of a gross misdemeanor under subdivision 3, paragraph (c), or is convicted of a gross misdemeanor violation of section 169.129 within 15 years of four prior impaired driving convictions, four prior license revocations, or a combination of the two based on separate instances; or anytime after five or more prior impaired driving convictions, five or more prior license revocations, or a combination of the two based on separate instances, must be sentenced to either:

(1) a minimum of one year of incarceration, at least 60 days of which must be served consecutively in a local correctional facility; or

(2) a program of intensive supervision of the type described in section 169.1265 that requires the person to consecutively serve at least six days in a local correctional facility.

The court may order that the person serve the remainder of the minimum penalty under clause (1) on intensive probation using an electronic monitoring system or, if such a system is unavailable, on home detention. Notwithstanding section 609.135, the penalties in this paragraph must be imposed and executed.

(f) Prior to sentencing, the prosecutor may file a motion to have a defendant described in paragraph (b) sentenced without regard to the mandatory minimum sentence established by that paragraph. The motion must be accompanied by a statement on the record of the reasons for it. When presented with the prosecutor's motion and if it finds that substantial mitigating factors exist, the court shall sentence the defendant without regard to the mandatory minimum sentence established by paragraph (b).

(g) The court may, on its own motion, sentence a defendant described in paragraph (b) without regard to the mandatory minimum sentence established by that paragraph if it finds that substantial mitigating factors exist and if its sentencing departure is accompanied by a statement on the record of the reasons for it. The court also may sentence the defendant without regard to the mandatory minimum sentence established by paragraph (b) if the defendant is sentenced to probation and ordered to participate in a program established under section 169.1265.

(h) When any portion of the sentence required by paragraph (b) is not executed, the court should impose a sentence that is proportional to the extent of the offender's prior criminal and moving traffic violation record. Any sentence required under paragraph (b) must include a mandatory sentence that is not subject to suspension or a stay of imposition or execution, and that includes incarceration for not less than 48 consecutive hours or at least 80 hours of community work service.

Subd. 3e. Repealed, 1999 c 194 s 11

Subd. 3f. Long-term monitoring. (a) This subdivision applies to a person convicted of:

(1) a violation of subdivision 1 or 1a within five years of two prior impaired driving convictions, or within ten years of three or more prior impaired driving convictions;

(2) a second or subsequent violation of subdivision 1 or 1a, if the person is under the age of 19 years;

(3) a violation of subdivision 1 or 1a, while the person's driver's license or driving privileges have been canceled under section 171.04, subdivision 1, clause (10); or

(4) a violation of section 169.129.

(b) When the court sentences a person described in paragraph (a) to a stayed sentence and when electronic monitoring equipment is available to the court, the court shall require that the person participate in a program of electronic alcohol monitoring in addition to any other conditions of probation or jail time it imposes. During the first one-third of the person's probationary term, the electronic alcohol monitoring must be continuous and involve measurements of the person's alcohol at least three times a day. During the remainder of the person's probationary term, the electronic alcohol monitoring may be intermittent, as determined by the court. The court shall require partial or total reimbursement from the person for the cost of the electronic alcohol monitoring, to the extent the person is able to pay.

Subd. 4. Administrative penalties. (a) The commissioner of public safety shall revoke the driver's license of a person convicted of violating this section or an ordinance in conformity with it as follows:

(1) for an offense under subdivision 1: not less than 30 days;

(2) for an offense under subdivision 1a: not less than 90 days;

(3) for an offense occurring within five years after a prior impaired driving conviction or a prior license revocation, or any time after two or more prior impaired driving convictions or prior license revocations: (i) if the current conviction is for a violation of subdivision 1, not less than 180 days and until the court has certified that treatment or rehabilitation has been successfully completed where prescribed in accordance with section 169.126; or (ii) if the current conviction is for a violation of subdivision 1a, not less than one year and until the court has certified that treatment or rehabilitation has been successfully completed where prescribed in accordance with section 169.126;

(4) for an offense occurring within five years after the first of two prior impaired driving convictions or prior license revocations: not less than one year, together with denial under section 171.04, subdivision 1, clause (10), until rehabilitation is established in accordance with standards established by the commissioner;

(5) for an offense occurring any time after three or more prior impaired driving convictions or prior license revocations: not less than two years, together with denial under section 171.04, subdivision 1, clause (10), until rehabilitation is established in accordance with standards established by the commissioner.

(b) If the person convicted of violating this section is under the age of 21 years at the time of the violation, the commissioner of public safety shall revoke the offender's driver's license or operating privileges for a period of six months or for the appropriate period of time under paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (5), for the offense committed, whichever is the greatest period.

(c) For purposes of this subdivision, a juvenile adjudication under this section, section 169.129, an ordinance in conformity with either of them, or a statute or ordinance from another state in conformity with either of them is an offense.

(d) Whenever department records show that the violation involved personal injury or death to any person, not less than 90 additional days shall be added to the base periods provided above.

(e) If the person is convicted of violating subdivision 1, paragraph (f), the commissioner of public safety shall revoke the person's driver's license for twice the period of time otherwise provided for in this subdivision.

(f) Except for a person whose license has been revoked under paragraph (b), and except for a person who commits a violation described in subdivision 3, paragraph (c), clause (4), (child endangerment), any person whose license has been revoked pursuant to section 169.123 as the result of the same incident, and who does not have a prior impaired driving conviction or prior license revocation, is subject to the mandatory revocation provisions of paragraph (a), clause (1) or (2), in lieu of the mandatory revocation provisions of section 169.123.

Subd. 5. Stay of imposition or execution of sentence. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision 3b, when a court sentences a person convicted of a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor violation of this section, section 169.129, or an ordinance in conformity with either of them, the court may stay imposition or execution of any sentence authorized by subdivision 3 or 4, except the revocation of the driver's license, on the condition that the convicted person submit to the level of care recommended in the chemical use assessment report required under section 169.126. If the court does not order a level of care in accordance with the assessment report recommendation as a condition of a stay of imposition or execution, it shall state on the record its reasons for not following the assessment report recommendation. A stay of imposition or execution shall be in the manner provided in section 609.135. The court shall report to the commissioner of public safety any stay of imposition or execution of sentence granted under the provisions of this section.

Subd. 5a. Chemical dependency assessment charge, surcharge. When a court sentences a person convicted of an offense enumerated in section 169.126, subdivision 1, it shall impose a chemical dependency assessment charge of $125. A person shall pay an additional surcharge of $5 if the person is convicted of (i) a violation of section 169.129, or (ii) a violation of this section within five years of a prior impaired driving conviction, as defined in subdivision 3, or a prior conviction for an offense arising out of an arrest for a violation of section 169.121 or 169.129. This section applies when the sentence is executed, stayed, or suspended. The court may not waive payment or authorize payment of the assessment charge and surcharge in installments unless it makes written findings on the record that the convicted person is indigent or that the assessment charge and surcharge would create undue hardship for the convicted person or that person's immediate family.

The county shall collect and forward to the commissioner of finance $25 of the chemical dependency assessment charge and the $5 surcharge, if any, within 60 days after sentencing or explain to the commissioner in writing why the money was not forwarded within this time period. The commissioner shall credit the money to the general fund. The county shall collect and keep $100 of the chemical dependency assessment charge.

The chemical dependency assessment charge and surcharge required under this section are in addition to the surcharge required by section 357.021, subdivision 6.

Subd. 5b. Penalty assessment. When a court sentences a person convicted of violating subdivision 1, clause (f), the court may impose a penalty assessment of up to $1,000. The court may impose this assessment in addition to any other penalties or charges authorized under this section. Money collected under this subdivision must be distributed as follows:

(1) if the arresting officer is an employee of a political subdivision, the assessment must be forwarded to the treasury of the political subdivision for use in enforcement, training, and education activities related to driving while impaired; or

(2) if the arresting officer is an employee of the state, the assessment must be forwarded to the state treasury and credited to the general fund.

Subd. 6. Preliminary screening test. (a) When a peace officer has reason to believe from the manner in which a person is driving, operating, controlling, or acting upon departure from a motor vehicle, or has driven, operated, or controlled a motor vehicle, that the driver may be violating or has violated subdivision 1 or section 169.1211, the officer may require the driver to provide a sample of the driver's breath for a preliminary screening test using a device approved by the commissioner of public safety for this purpose.

(b) The results of this preliminary screening test shall be used for the purpose of deciding whether an arrest should be made and whether to require the tests authorized in section 169.123, but shall not be used in any court action except the following:

(1) to prove that a test was properly required of a person pursuant to section 169.123, subdivision 2;

(2) in a civil action arising out of the operation or use of the motor vehicle;

(3) in an action for license reinstatement under section 171.19;

(4) in a prosecution or juvenile court proceeding concerning a violation of section 169.1218 or 340A.503, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), clause (2);

(5) in a prosecution under section 169.1211, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), or 171.30; or

(6) in a prosecution for a violation of a restriction on a driver's license under section 171.09, which provides that the license holder may not use or consume any amount of alcohol or a controlled substance.

(c) Following the screening test additional tests may be required of the driver pursuant to the provisions of section 169.123.

(d) The driver who refuses to furnish a sample of the driver's breath is subject to the provisions of section 169.123 unless, in compliance with section 169.123, the driver submits to a blood, breath or urine test to determine the presence or amount of alcohol, controlled substances, or hazardous substances.

Subd. 7. License revocation; court invalidation. On behalf of the commissioner of public safety a court shall serve notice of revocation on a person convicted of a violation of this section unless the commissioner has already revoked the person's driving privileges or served the person with a notice of revocation for a violation of section 169.123 arising out of the same incident.

The court shall invalidate the driver's license or permit in such a way that no identifying information is destroyed.

Subd. 8. Chemical use assessment. When the evidentiary test shows an alcohol concentration of 0.07 or more, that result shall be reported to the commissioner of public safety. The commissioner shall record that fact on the driver's record. When the driver's record shows a second or subsequent report of an alcohol concentration of 0.07 or more within two years of a recorded report, the commissioner may require that the driver have a chemical use assessment meeting the commissioner's requirements. The assessment shall be at the driver's expense. In no event shall the commissioner deny the license of a person who refuses to take the assessment or to undertake treatment, if treatment is indicated by the assessment, for longer than 90 days. If an assessment is made pursuant to this section, the commissioner may waive the assessment required by section 169.126.

Subd. 9. Immunity from liability. (a) The state or political subdivision by which a peace officer making an arrest for violation of this section is employed shall have immunity from any liability, civil or criminal, for the care or custody of the motor vehicle being driven by, operated by, or in the physical control of the person arrested if the peace officer acts in good faith and exercises due care.

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, "political subdivision" means a county, statutory or home rule charter city, or town.

Subd. 10. Research programs. No person is guilty of a violation of this section committed while participating in a research or demonstration project conducted by the Minnesota highway safety center. This subdivision applies only to conduct occurring while operating a state-owned vehicle under the supervision of personnel of the center on the grounds of the center.

Subd. 10a. Civil action; punitive damages. In a civil action involving a motor vehicle accident, it is sufficient for the trier of fact to consider an award of punitive damages if there is evidence that the accident was caused by a driver:

(1) with an alcohol concentration of .10 or more;

(2) who was under the influence of a controlled substance;

(3) who was under the influence of alcohol and refused to take a test required under section 169.123, subdivision 2; or

(4) who was knowingly under the influence of a hazardous substance that substantially affects the person's nervous system, brain, or muscles so as to impair the person's ability to drive or operate a motor vehicle.

A criminal charge or conviction is not a prerequisite to consideration of punitive damages under this subdivision. At the trial in an action where the trier of fact will consider an award of punitive damages, evidence that the driver has been convicted of violating this section, section 169.129, or 609.21 is admissible into evidence.

Subd. 11. Applicability to recreational vehicle. For purposes of this section and section 169.123, "motor vehicle" includes motorboats in operation and off-road recreational vehicles. A "motorboat in operation" does not include a motorboat that is anchored, beached, or securely fastened to a dock or other permanent mooring, or a motorboat that is being rowed or propelled by other than mechanical means.

Subd. 12. Driver education programs. Driver training courses offered through the public schools and driver training courses offered by private or commercial schools or institutes shall include instruction which must encompass at least:

(1) information on the effects of consumption of beverage alcohol products and the use of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, and nonprescription drugs on the ability of a person to operate a motor vehicle;

(2) the hazards of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and

(3) the legal penalties and financial consequences resulting from violations of laws prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

HIST: 1957 c 297 s 1; 1961 c 454 s 9; 1967 c 283 s 1; 1967 c 569 s 1; 1969 c 744 s 1; 1971 c 244 s 1; 1971 c 893 s 1,2; Ex1971 c 27 s 6; 1973 c 421 s 1; 1973 c 494 s 8; 1975 c 370 s 1; 1976 c 298 s 2; 1976 c 341 s 1; 1978 c 727 s 2; 1981 c 9 s 1; 1982 c 423 s 2-8; 1983 c 134 s 1; 1983 c 177 s 1; 1983 c 306 s 1-4; 1984 c 430 s 2,3; 1984 c 622 s 5-9; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1Sp1985 c 4 s 4; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 123 s 1; 1987 c 136 s 1; 1987 c 315 s 1-3; 1987 c 368 s 6; 1987 c 383 s 6; 1988 c 408 s 1; 1988 c 650 s 1,2; 1988 c 681 s 2,8; 1989 c 216 s 1; 1989 c 290 art 10 s 1-4; 1989 c 335 art 4 s 62; 1989 c 356 s 58; 1990 c 468 s 1; 1990 c 602 art 2 s 1; art 3 s 1,2; art 6 s 1; 1991 c 270 s 1; 1991 c 321 s 2,3; 1991 c 333 s 12; 1992 c 570 art 1 s 6-13; 1993 c 266 s 18; 1993 c 326 art 13 s 12; 1993 c 347 s 3-7; 1994 c 465 art 1 s 24; 1994 c 615 s 10-14; 1995 c 104 s 1; 1996 c 395 s 8; 1996 c 442 s 5-11; 1996 c 455 art 4 s 12; 1997 c 12 art 3 s 5; 1Sp1997 c 2 s 26-39; 1998 c 254 art 1 s 59; 1998 c 332 s 1; 1998 c 367 art 8 s 2; 1998 c 405 s 5; 1999 c 194 s 1-3; 1999 c 231 s 164; 1999 c 238 art 2 s 91

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