Section
72.01 Intent
72.02 Definitions
72.03 Application
of traffic ordinances
72.04 Restrictions
72.05 Stopping
and yielding
72.06 Persons
under 18
72.07 Equipment
72.08 Unattended
snowmobiles
72.09 Emergency
operation permitted
§ 72.01 INTENT.
It is the intent of this chapter to
supplement M.S. §§ 84.81 through 84.91, and M.S. Chapter 169, as these statutes may be amended from
time to time and Minn. Rules parts 6100.5000 through 6100.6000, as these rules
may be amended from time to time, with respect to the operation of
snowmobiles. These statutes and rules
are incorporated herein by reference.
This section is not intended to allow what the state statutes and rules prohibit, nor to
prohibit what the state statutes and rules allow.
§ 72.02 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this chapter, the
following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or
requires a different meaning.
DEADMAN THROTTLE or SAFETY THROTTLE. A device which, when pressure is removed from
the engine accelerator or throttle, causes the motor to be disengaged from the
driving mechanism.
OPERATE. To ride in or
on and control the operation of a snowmobile.
OPERATOR. Every person
who operates or is in actual physical control of a snowmobile.
OWNER. A person,
other than a lien holder having the property in or title to a snowmobile, or
entitled to the use or possession thereof.
PERSON. Includes an
individual, partnership, corporation, the state and its agencies and
subdivision, and any body of persons, whether incorporated or not.
RIGHT-OF-WAY. The entire
strip of land traversed by a highway or street in which the public owns the fee
or an easement for roadway purposes.
ROADWAY. That portion
of a highway or street improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular
travel.
SNOWMOBILE. A
self-propelled vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice, steered by skis or
runners.
STREET. A public
thoroughfare, roadway, alley or trail used for motor vehicular traffic which is
not an interstate, trunk, county-state aid, or county highway.
§ 72.03 APPLICATION OF TRAFFIC ORDINANCES.
The provisions of Ch. 70 of this code
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.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.04 RESTRICTIONS.
(A) It is unlawful for any person to
enter, operate or stop a snowmobile within the limits of the city:
(1) On the roadway of any
street, except the most right hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to right hand
curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle
stopped in the lane or proceeding in the same direction, or in making a left
turn. Snowmobiles may also be operated
upon the outside slope of trunk, county-state aid and county highways where the
highways are so configured within the corporate limits.
(2) On a public sidewalk
provided for pedestrian travel.
(3) On boulevards within any
public right-of-way.
(4) On private property of
another without specific permission of the owner or person in control of the
property.
(5) Upon any school grounds,
except as permission is expressly obtained from responsible school authorities.
(6) On public property,
playgrounds and recreation areas, except areas previously listed or
authorized for the use by
resolution of the City Council, in which case the use shall be lawful, and
snowmobiles may be driven in and out of those areas by the shortest route.
(7) On streets as permitted by
this chapter at a speed exceeding 10 miles per hour.
(8) During the hours of 10:00
p.m. to 7:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 12:01 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on
other days closer than 100 feet from any residence. This provision is not intended to prohibit
snowmobiles from operating on city streets during the hours specified herein.
(B) It is unlawful for any person to
operate a snowmobile within the limits of the city:
(1) So as to tow any person or
thing in a public street or highway except through use of a rigid tow bar
attached to the rear of the snowmobile; provided, that a disabled snowmobile
may be towed to a private residence or
a place of business where snowmobiles are repaired without the use of a rigid
tow bar.
(2) Within 100 feet of any
fisherman, pedestrian, skating rink or sliding area where the operation would
conflict with use or endanger other persons or operation.
(3) To intentionally drive,
chase, run over or kill any animal.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.05 STOPPING AND YIELDING.
No snowmobile shall enter any
uncontrolled intersection without making a complete stop. The operator shall then yield the
right-of-way to any vehicles or pedestrians at the intersection, or so
close to the intersection as to
constitute an immediate hazard.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.06 PERSONS UNDER 18.
(A) No person under 14 years of age
shall operate on streets or make a direct crossing of a city street as the operator
of a snowmobile. A person 14 years of
age or older, but less than 18 years of age, may operate a snowmobile on
streets as permitted under this chapter and make a direct crossing of those
streets only if he or she has in his or her immediate possession a valid
snowmobile safety certificate issued pursuant to M.S. § 84.872, as it may
be amended from time to time.
(B) It is unlawful for the owner of a
snowmobile to permit the snowmobile to be operated contrary to the provision of
this section.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.07 EQUIPMENT.
It is unlawful for any person to
operate a snowmobile any place within the limits of the city unless it is
equipped with the following:
(A) Standard mufflers which are
properly attached and which reduce the noise of operation of the motor to the
minimum necessary for operation. No
person shall use a muffler cutout, by-pass straight pipe or similar device on a
snowmobile motor.
(B) Brakes adequate to control the
movement of and to stop and hold the snowmobile under any condition of
operation.
(C) A safety or so called deadman
throttle in operating condition.
(D) When operated between the hours of
one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, or at times of
reduced visibility, at least one clear lamp attached to the front, with
sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least
100 feet ahead during the hours of darkness under normal atmospheric
conditions. The head lamp shall be so
aimed that glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of an oncoming
snowmobile operator. It shall also be
equipped with at least one red light plainly visible from a distance of 500
feet to the rear during hours of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions.
(E) Snowmobiles shall fly a pennant
flag or red or blaze material, of a size not less than 12 inches by 9 inches,
at a height of not less than six feet from ground level at any time when the
vehicle is operated on public streets.
(F) Reflective material at least 16
square inches on each side, forward of the handlebars and at the highest
practical point on any towed object, so as to reflect lights at a 90 degree
angle.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.08 UNATTENDED SNOWMOBILES.
Every person leaving a snowmobile on a public place shall lock the
ignition, remove the key and take the same with him or her.
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 72.09 EMERGENCY OPERATION PERMITTED.
Notwithstanding any prohibitions in
this chapter, a snowmobile may be operated on a public thoroughfare in an
emergency during the period of time and at locations where snow upon the
roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.