Minnesota Session Laws - 2005, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 72-S.F.No. 1296 
                  An act relating to highways; allowing two-way 
                  operation of snowmobiles on either side of local road 
                  right-of-way when authorized by local road 
                  authorities; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 
                  84.87, subdivision 1. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 84.87, 
        subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
           Subdivision 1.  [OPERATION ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS.] (a) No 
        person shall operate a snowmobile upon the roadway, shoulder, or 
        inside bank or slope of any trunk, county state-aid, or county 
        highway in this state and, in the case of a divided trunk or 
        county highway, on the right-of-way between the opposing lanes 
        of traffic, except as provided in sections 84.81 to 84.90.  No 
        person shall operate a snowmobile within the right-of-way of any 
        trunk, county state-aid, or county highway between the hours of 
        one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, 
        except on the right-hand side of such right-of-way and in the 
        same direction as the highway traffic on the nearest lane of the 
        roadway adjacent thereto.  No snowmobile shall be operated at 
        any time within the right-of-way of any interstate highway or 
        freeway within this state. 
           (b) Notwithstanding any provision of paragraph (a) to the 
        contrary, but: 
           (1) under conditions prescribed by the commissioner of 
        transportation, the commissioner of transportation may allow 
        two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the trunk 
        highway right-of-way where the commissioner of transportation 
        determines that two-way operation will not endanger users of the 
        trunk highway or riders of the snowmobiles using the trail; 
           (2) under conditions prescribed by a local road authority 
        as defined in section 160.02, subdivision 25, the road authority 
        may allow two-way operation of snowmobiles on either side of the 
        right-of-way of a street or highway under the road authority's 
        jurisdiction, where the road authority determines that two-way 
        operation will not endanger users of the street or highway or 
        riders of the snowmobiles using the trail; 
           (3) the commissioner of transportation under clause (1) and 
        the local road authority under clause (2) shall notify the 
        commissioner of natural resources and the local law enforcement 
        agencies responsible for the streets or highways of the 
        locations of two-way snowmobile trails authorized under this 
        paragraph; and 
           (4) two-way snowmobile trails authorized under this 
        paragraph shall be posted for two-way operation at the 
        authorized locations. 
           (c) A snowmobile may make a direct crossing of a street or 
        highway at any hour of the day provided: 
           (1) the crossing is made at an angle of approximately 90 
        degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place where no 
        obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; and 
           (2) the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before 
        crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the highway; and 
           (3) the driver yields the right-of-way to all oncoming 
        traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; and 
           (4) in crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made 
        only at an intersection of such highway with another public 
        street or highway; and 
           (5) if the crossing is made between the hours of one-half 
        hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or in 
        conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear 
        lights are on; and 
           (6) a snowmobile may be operated upon a bridge, other than 
        a bridge that is part of the main traveled lanes of an 
        interstate highway, when required for the purpose of avoiding 
        obstructions to travel when no other method of avoidance is 
        possible; provided the snowmobile is operated in the extreme 
        right-hand lane, the entrance to the roadway is made within 100 
        feet of the bridge and the crossing is made without undue delay. 
           (d) No snowmobile shall be operated upon a public street or 
        highway unless it is equipped with at least one headlamp, one 
        tail lamp, each of minimum candlepower as prescribed by rules of 
        the commissioner, reflector material of a minimum area of 16 
        square inches mounted on each side forward of the handle bars, 
        and with brakes each of which shall conform to standards 
        prescribed by rule of the commissioner pursuant to the authority 
        vested in the commissioner by section 84.86, and each of which 
        shall be subject to approval of the commissioner of public 
        safety. 
           (e) A snowmobile may be operated upon a public street or 
        highway other than as provided by paragraph (c) in an emergency 
        during the period of time when and at locations where snow upon 
        the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical. 
           (f) All provisions of chapters 169 and 169A shall apply to 
        the operation of snowmobiles upon streets and highways, except 
        for those relating to required equipment, and except those which 
        by their nature have no application.  Section 169.09 applies to 
        the operation of snowmobiles anywhere in the state or on the ice 
        of any boundary water of the state. 
           (g) Any sled, trailer, or other device being towed by a 
        snowmobile must be equipped with reflective materials as 
        required by rule of the commissioner. 
           Presented to the governor May 19, 2005 
           Signed by the governor May 23, 2005, 12:10 p.m.