Traffic Safety Legislation

The passage of traffic safety legislation in Minnesota has played a major role in supporting TZD efforts. Accomplishments in this area include:

• Expanded use of ignition interlock for DWI in 2010.
• Passage of the primary seat belt and booster seat laws in 2009.
• Implementation of graduated driver’s licensing, and passage of a law banning texting, e-mailing, or accessing the web while driving in 2008.
• Implementation of a lower blood alcohol content (0.08, from 1.0) for DWI in 2005.

Minnesota traffic legislation

Highlights of Minnesota traffic safety legislation are listed below. For legislation related to a specific topic, check the categories on the left. Visit the Office of Traffic Safety website for a comprehensive list.

• Minnesota's hands-free law on the OTS website
• Minnesota's highway safety laws on the Governor's Highway Safety Association website
• MN laws for newly licensed teens on the DPS website (38 KB PDF)
• Minnesota's statute regarding the use of wireless devices while driving on the MN state legislature website
• Minnesota's seat belt laws on the OTS website

National traffic legislation

• Comparison of all state traffic safety laws (508 KB PDF)
  NHTSA, June 2011