The Minnetonka Car Accident Lawyers at the Schmidt Salita Law Team know that speed kills in motor vehicle collisions. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), speeding is a factor in about one-third of all motor vehicle collisions.
- Traveling over the speed limit causes more accidents!
- Traveling over the speed limit causes more serious injuries and deaths!
The House Research publication authored by Matt Burress recently summarized the speed laws applicable to the roads and streets of Minnesota as follows:
Default Speed Limit
Default Minnesota speed limits are set by state statute, and there are various circumstances where they can be modified. The statutory speed limits are:
- 65 – 70 m.p.h. for interstates (depending on whether the interstate is within or outside an urbanized area of at least 50,000);
- 65 m.p.h. on divided highways with controlled access;
- 30 m.p.h. in an “urban district,” which is any segment of a city street or town road with structures spaced less than 100 feet apart for a minimum distance of a quarter-mile;
- 10 m.p.h. for alleys, mobile home parks, and campgrounds; and
- a 55 m.p.h. default on other roads.
Minn. Stat.§§ 169.011; 169.14, subd. 2; 327.27, subd. 2.
The speed limit increases by 10 m.p.h. when passing on two-lane highways posted at 55 m.p.h. or higher. Other limits apply to some specific vehicles. A 40 m.p.h. minimum speed applies to interstates. Minn. Stat. §§ 169.14, subd. 2a; 801.
State law also mandates that “no person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions.” This provision can obligate a motorist to lower the speed of travel below the posted speed limit, particularly if there are dangerous road conditions such as snow or ice.
Adjusted Speed Limit Zones
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has the authority to establish speed zones in which the speed limit is higher or lower than those set in statute. Zones can be established after MnDOT conducts an engineering and traffic investigation, which analyzes factors like roadway design and characteristics, traffic volume, crash history, and observed speeds. While accounting for other conditions, MnDOT’s policy is that the limit should normally be set near the 85th percentile of vehicle speeds (that is, the speed at or below which 85 percent of vehicles travel). Minn. Stat. § 169.14, subd. 5.
Restricted Local Authority
Cities, counties, and towns have limited power to set speed limits on streets and highways under their own jurisdiction. If requested by a local road authority, MnDOT performs an engineering and traffic study of the road. However, MnDOT – not the local authority – determines the safe and reasonable speed limit as well as whether to establish a speed zone.
Some exceptions provide for adjusting the statutory Minnesota speed limits:
- If MnDOT sets a speed zone for a city street or town road in an “urban district” that is at least a quarter-mile long, the city or town can lower the limit to 30 m.p.h.
- On a residential roadway, a local road authority may reduce the speed limit to 25 m.p.h. A “residential roadway” is a city street or town road whose total length is up to a half-mile.
- In school zones, a local road authority may, based on an engineering study, prescribe a speed limit that is as low as 15 m.p.h.
- In a rural residential district, a local road authority may reduce the speed limit to 35 m.p.h. A “rural residential district” is a city street or town road segment with residential houses spaced less than 300 feet apart for a minimum distance of a quarter-mile.
- Subject to various requirements, speed limits can also be adjusted on other roadways, including:
- Park roads (minimum of 15 m.p.h. and a maximum of 20 m.p.h. below the surrounding limit, and subject to a MnDOT engineering and traffic study);
- On streets that have a designated bicycle lane (at no less than 25 m.p.h.);
- In alleys; and
- In mobile home parks (minimum of 10 m.p.h., maximum of 30 m.p.h.).
Workers Present Speed Limits
Speed limits are adjusted in work zones. Minn. Stat. § 169.14, subd. 5d.
An existing speed limit of 50 m.p.h. or higher is adjusted down to 45 m.p.h. when a least one lane of traffic is closed and workers are present, although there are various exceptions to the provision.
Without an engineering and traffic study, both MnDOT and local road authorities can reduce the limits when workers are present. Restrictions on the extent of the reduction depend on the existing speed limit.
Penalties For Violations
Speeding is generally a petty misdemeanor, which carries a base fine normally ranging from $40 to $150, and no prison sentence. The fine is $300 for a speeding violation in a work zone. The fine is doubled if the violation (1) occurs in a school zone, (2) involves speeds of 20 m.p.h. or more above the posted limit, or (3) occurs when passing a parked emergency vehicle with flashing lights. If a speeding violation is committed in a manner that endangers persons or property, it can be charged as a misdemeanor. In addition to the base fine, a $75 court surcharge is imposed for speeding convictions and there can be a law library fee. Minn. Stat.§ 169.14; 169.89, subd. I; 357.021, subd. 6.
A driver’s license will be revoked for at least six months for driving over 100 m.p.h. Minnesota does not use a point system, which would trigger the removal of driving privileges. However, multiple speeding or other traffic violations within a year can lead to the loss of a license. Minn. Stat. §§ 169.14, subd. la; 169.89; 17.
Violations On A Driver’s Record
A statutory provision (originally known as the “Dimler amendment”) governs when speeding violations are recorded on the motorist’s driving record that is maintained by the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Records are accessible to insurance companies. The courts keep records separately. Minn. Stat.§ 171.12, subd. 6.
Speeding violations stay off of a DPS driving record if the driver does not exceed:
- 10 m.p.h. over the speed limit in a 55 m.p.h. zone; or
- 5 m.p.h. over the limit in a 60 m.p.h. zone (which had temporarily increased to 10 m.p.h. above the limit during part of 2012 to 2014).
The prohibition on recording violations does not apply if: (1) the speed limit is below 55 m.p.h. or is 65 m.p.h. or higher; (2) the speeding violation occurred in a commercial motor vehicle; or (3) the driver holds a commercial driver’s license or learner’s permit.
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The Schmidt Salita Law Team handles cases involving car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian car accidents, and bicycle accidents. It has many years of experience in workers’ compensation, product liability, and medical malpractice cases.
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