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S.F. No. 1246 - Requirements Pertaining to Collisions; Changing Terminology
 
Author: Senator Kevin Dahle
 
Prepared By: Kenneth P. Backhus, Senate Counsel (651/296-4396)
 
Date: March 11, 2014



 

Section 1 changes terminology throughout Minnesota Statutes, section 169.09, from “accident” to “collision.”  This section deals with, among other things, a driver’s duty to stop and investigate possible personal injury or property damage following a collision.

Subdivision 1 removes the current standard that requires a driver to stop after an accident with an individual if the accident resulted in immediately demonstrable bodily injury or death of an individual.  The new standard requires the driver to stop following a collision to investigate what was struck.

Subdivision 2 currently requires a driver to stop for an accident with another vehicle.  The new language retains this requirement (while substituting "collision"), but adds the requirement that the driver reasonably investigate what was struck.

Subdivision 3 currently requires a driver to provide identification information following an accident that results in bodily injury or death to an individual or in property damage.  New language requires a driver to provide this information postcollision if the driver knew or had reason to know the collision resulted in personal or property damage.

Subdivision 4 requires a driver to stop and investigate what was struck and provide information if the driver knows or has reason to know the collision resulted in damage to an unattended vehicle.

Subdivision 5 specifies the duties of a driver following a collision that damages fixtures on or near the highway.

Subdivisions 5a to 14a change terminology from “accident” to “collision.”

Subdivision 15 provides that it is not a defense to a charge of failure to stop and investigate that the driver did not know what was struck.

Subdivisions 16 and 17 change terminology from “accident” to “collision.”

Section 2 amends the criminal code to change terminology from “accident” to “collision” with reference to criminal vehicular homicide or operation.

 

KPB/tg

 
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