Senate Counsel, Research
and Fiscal Analysis
Minnesota Senate Bldg.
95 University Avenue W. Suite 3300
St. Paul, MN 55155
(651) 296-4791
Alexis C. Stangl
Director
   Senate   
State of Minnesota
 
 
 
 
 
S.F. No. 2425 - Highway Work Zone Safety (as amended by A-1 Amendment)
 
Author: Senator Susan Kent
 
Prepared By: Krista Boyd, Senate Fiscal Analyst (651/296-7681)
 
Date: March 24, 2014



 

Section 1 defines “work zone” in the chapter on traffic regulations, as a highway segment on which a road authority is doing construction, reconstruction, or maintenance work, and on which at least one of the following conditions applies:

  • official traffic-control devices that indicate the work zone are erected;
  • at least one lane of traffic is closed;
  • a flagger is present;
  • a construction speed zone limit is established; or
  • a workers present speed limit is in effect.

Section 2 removes a provision on traffic control obedience to a flagger.  This provision is moved to a new subdivision in Section 3.

Section 3 creates a new subdivision on obedience to a work zone flagger.  This section:

  • sets a fine of $300 for a violation of this subdivision;
  • states the revenue from this fine shall be deposited in a new work zone safety account in the special revenue fund;
  • authorizes a peace officer to stop and cite a driver believed to have violated flagger directions, up to four hours after the violation;
  • states that a violation of this subdivision is a petty misdemeanor, with some exceptions; and
  • states that a violation of this subdivision is not grounds for license revocation or suspension.

Section 4, paragraph (a) reduces the speed limit in a work zone, when at least one lane is closed and workers are present, to 45 mph if the usual speed limit is 50 mph or greater. 

 Paragraph (b) specifies exceptions to this reduction:

  • positive barriers are in place between workers and travel lanes;
  • work zone is in place for less than 24 hours; or
  • a different speed limit is determined by the road authority, following a traffic study or as in paragraph (c).

Paragraph (c) allows a road authority to set reduced speed limits in work zones, when workers are present, without a traffic study, provided that the speed limits are reduced by no more than 20 mph where the regular limit is 55 mph or greater, and by no more than 15 mph where the regular limit is 50 mph or less.

Paragraph (d) states that reduced speed limits under paragraph (c) are effective upon posting of speed limit signs.

Paragraph (e) requires the road authority to post signs specifying the determined work zone speed limits under this subdivision.

This section eliminates a provision that doubles the fine for a speed limit violation in a work zone when workers are present, replacing it with a new statutory fine in Section 5.

Section 5 establishes a statutory fine of $300 for a work zone speed limit violation.  Fines collected are deposited in a new work zone safety account in the special revenue fund.

Section 6 creates a work zone safety account in the special revenue fund, consisting of fines for specified work zone related violations.  Annually, $28,000 from this account is transferred to the general fund, and the remaining funds are appropriated to the Commissioner of Transportation for enhanced traffic enforcement efforts in work zones and work zone safety education and training.

This section also requires an annual work zone safety report, on amounts and uses of work zone safety account funds, impacts of work zone traffic enforcement on traffic speeds and crashes, effectiveness of safety efforts, and legislative recommendations.  The first report is due to the legislature by October 1, 2015, and expires following the report in 2017.

Section 7 prohibits use of a cell phone, whether handheld or hands-free, while operating a vehicle in a work zone where workers are present.

KB/BB:rer

 
Check on the status of this bill
 
Back to Senate Counsel and Research Bill Summaries page
 

 
This page is maintained by the Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis for the Minnesota Senate.
 
Last review or update: 03/24/2014
 
If you see any errors on this page, please e-mail us at webmaster@senate.mn