If you’re a bad driver, this legislative session could be a rough one.
Keeping Minnesota roads safe has been a hot button issue after 2024 finished as the deadliest year on the roads since 2021. Legislators have set their sights on a few different ways they hope to curb this trend, and we spotlight those proposals in today’s blog.
Stiffer Penalties On The Horizon?
Let’s dive into some of the proposals that could be passed during the current legislative session.
DUI Law Changes
We’ve already covered one of the main changes that is being pushed during the current legislative session, and that involves how long convicted drunk drivers would be required to use an ignition interlock on their vehicle. You can learn more about that proposal on our original blog, but required ignition interlock periods would essentially increase from one, two and four years to two, six and 10 years depending on how many convictions the person has on their record.
Fleeing From Police
Another proposal would increase the penalties that could be handed down to those convicted of fleeing from police. There are already some serious penalties in place for fleeing from police, but legislators want to increase punishments in the hopes that it will deter people from making a potentially fatal rash decision.
Currently, fleeing in a motor vehicle is considered a felony offense that is punishable by a maximum sentence of three years in prison, although that maximum can be increased if the fleeing driver causes death or great bodily harm. The new proposal would increase the maximum penalty to four years and increase the potential fine to $8,000 if a driver violates certain driving regulations while fleeing (like driving on the wrong side of the road or disobeying traffic signs). That maximum penalty could increase to five years and the fine could increase to $10,000 if the offender is deemed to have fled “in a culpably negligent manner,” which is defined as creating “an unreasonable risk and consciously taking chances of causing death of great bodily hard to another.”
Excessive Speeding
Lawmakers are also taking a closer look at how to hand down punishments to those who are caught excessively speeding. Governor Tim Walz has already stated that he wants to add harsher penalties for those drivers caught speeding 35 miles or more above the posted speed limit. Currently, drivers caught going over 100 miles per hour will have their licenses suspended for six months, and Walz wants the same penalties applied to those who are caught speeding more than 35 miles over the posted limit.
The proposal has the support of Col. Christina Bogojevic, the chief of the Minnesota State Patrol.
“We’re looking at all speed limits because it’s just as dangerous going 70 miles per hour and a 30 mile per hour zone, as it is over 100 on a freeway,” Bogojevic said.
We’re going to keep an eye on these potential changes as the legislative session continues thorough the end of May, and we’ll be sure to pass along any changes that are voted into law.
For now, if you need help contesting a criminal matter or a traffic offense, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
