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Recent Law Changes Everyone Should Know
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No cell phone use by young drivers
No text messaging for all drivers - New August 1, 2008
Restrictions on curfew and passengers as of August 1, 2008
Withdrawal of Parental Consent
Vanessa's Law
Move-over/Emergency Vehicle Safety Law
Pedestrian Rights and Responsibilities in Crosswalks
Increased fines for severe speeding
Round-a-bouts
Passing on the shoulder is illegal and dangerous
Driving or cruising in the left lane (passing lane) is illegal in Minnesota
Where to stop at an intersection
No cell phone use by young drivers
No person may use a cell phone if they have a permit or provisional license. Most young drivers have a provisional license until they turn 18, but a teen can get a full license after one full year of driving (provisional license, not permit) if they have not had a crash related moving violation. The teen's parent needs to sign the application for the full license. Safeway does not encourage this for most teens.
No text messaging for all drivers - New August 1, 2008
A new law has made it illegal for drivers of all ages to compose, read, or send text messages or access the internet on a wireless device while on the road.
Restrictions on curfew and passengers as of August 1, 2008
As of August 1, 2008, there are additional new restrictions on provisional drivers.
Nighttime Driving Limitation —For the first six months of licensure: Driving is prohibited midnight – 5 a.m. Exemptions: Driving when accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older; driving between home and place of employment; driving to/from home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation; driving for employment purposes. The nighttime limitation is lifted after the first six months of licensure.
Teen Passenger Limitations — For the first six-months of licensure: Only one passenger under the age of 20 is permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. For the second six-months of licensure: No more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Exemption: Passengers under age 20 who are members of the immediate family are permitted.
These provisions also apply to teens licensed before August 1, 2008. For example, a teen licensed on July 1 has five months and a subsequent six months of limitation requirements, rather than starting the limitation time periods anew on August 1.
Vanessa's Law
In May 2004, a law went into effect referred to as “Vanessa’s Law” in memory of Vanessa Weiss, who was killed in May 2003 just days before her 16th birthday. She was a passenger in a vehicle driven by an unlicensed 15-year-old. Provisions of this law apply to drivers under age 18.
-An unlicensed teen who received a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol/controlled substance-related violation (a violation of one or more statutes, including DWI, Implied Consent, Open Bottle, or Underage Drinking and Driving/Not a Drop Law) cannot be given a license, including an instruction permit or provisional license, until age 18. When this person turns 18, s/he must pass the driver’s license knowledge test, obtain an instruction permit and hold it for at least six months, and then pass the road test.
-A provisional license holder whose driving privilege was revoked due to a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol/controlled substance-related violation cannot regain a license until age 18. At that time, the person must complete the following steps to obtain a full driver’s license:
-Fulfill all reinstatement requirements, including the payment of fees which can be up to $680 depending on circumstances;
-Complete the classroom portion of a formal driver education course;
-Pass the driver’s license knowledge test;
-Obtain an instruction permit and hold it for three months;
-Complete a driver’s behind-the-wheel class.
Withdrawal of Parental Consent
Yes, parents you have some rights and power over your teen drivers! If your teen's driving habits are dangerous, if insurance has been dropped because of disregard for the laws or crashes or if they are simply not compiling with your rules you can withdraw your consent and their driver's license will be gone until they are 18 years old. This form can be used as follows:
1) Parents can withdraw their consent for their children under the age of 18 to maintain a license or permit;
2) Parents can rescind their withdrawal of parental consent;
3) Drivers age 18 or over to voluntarily cancel their own driving privileges.
Link to Form: http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/PDFForms/DVSFormFrame.htm
Move-over/Emergency Vehicle Safety Law
"Ted Foss" Move Over Law, Minnesota State law 169.18 subd. 11
When approaching and before passing an authorized emergency vehicle that is parked or otherwise stopped on or next to a street or highway having two or more lanes in the same direction, the driver of a vehicle shall safely move the vehicle to a lane away from the emergency vehicle.
Pedestrian Rights and Responsibilities in Crosswalks
Traffic regulations relating to pedestrians are found in Minnesota Statutes 169.21.
1) At intersections with traffic control signals, vehicle drivers and pedestrians shall obey the traffic control signal.
2) Where signals are not in place or operational, the driver of a vehicle shall stop to yield to a pedestrian within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk. The driver must remain stopped until the pedestrian has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped.
3) Pedestrians crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within a unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other safe place, and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to stop safely.
Increased fines for severe speeding
Fines for driving 20 mph or more over the posted speed limit will result in an additional surcharge of at least $25; speeds in excess of 100 mph will result in revocation of a person's driver's license for six months.
Round-a-bouts
Modern roundabouts are a newer form of intersection in the United States. A modern roundabout is an unsignalized circular intersection engineered to maximize safety and minimize traffic delay. To learn more about Round-a-bouts in our area click on the link below.
http://www.co.washington.mn.us/info_for_residents/transportation_division/roundabout_u/
Passing on the shoulder is illegal and dangerous
When the driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only
under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving onto the shoulder, whether paved or unpaved, or off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway.
Driving or cruising in the left lane (passing lane) is illegal in Minnesota
Unless you are actually passing, move over to the right hand lane. (169.18 sub 1)
Keep to the right. Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:
(1) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under
the rules governing such movement;
(2) when the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair;
(3) upon a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable
thereon;
(4) upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic as a one-way roadway (highways and freeways are not defined as one-way roadways); or
(5) as necessary to comply with subdivision 11 when approaching an authorized emergency
vehicle parked or stopped on the roadway.
Where to stop at an intersection
Surprise! Where the stop sign is stuck in the ground is not one of the three possible spots!
Vehicular traffic facing a circular red signal alone must stop at a clearly (1) marked stop line
but, if none, (2) before entering the crosswalk (marked or unmarked stay behind the sidewalk) on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then (3) before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown. Where the stop sign is located does not indicate where to stop.
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