Subdivision 1. Working on highway. (a) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to persons, motor vehicles, and other equipment while actually engaged in work upon the highway, except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c).

(b) This chapter shall apply to those persons and vehicles when traveling to or from such work, except that persons operating equipment owned, rented or hired by road authorities shall be exempt from the width, height and length provisions of sections 169.80 and 169.81 and shall be exempt from the weight limitations of this chapter while performing the following actions on behalf of the state or a local governmental unit:

(1) while loading, readying, or moving the vehicles or equipment in preparation for combating anticipated slippery road conditions or removing snow or ice;

(2) while actually engaged in snow or ice removal or combating slippery road conditions, including but not limited to pretreatment and anti-icing activities; or

(3) while engaged in flood control operations.

(c) Chapter 169A and section 169.444 apply to persons while actually engaged in work upon the highway.

Subd. 2. Streetcars. Streetcars, except where otherwise specifically provided, shall be governed by the same rules as provided in this chapter for vehicles and motor vehicles, only insofar as such rules apply to speed, stopped at through streets and railroad tracks, and obeying signals of traffic-control devices and rights-of-way, driving under the influence of drugs or intoxicating liquor, careless driving, and the stopping at the scene of an accident and giving the information as required by this chapter, and following vehicles too closely, and shall be entitled to the same rights and benefits of this chapter, as to warning, turning and stopping signals and rights-of-way, as any vehicles or motor vehicle in the streets and highways of this state.

Subd. 3. Transportation by animal. Every person riding an animal or driving any animal drawing a vehicle upon a roadway shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions which by their nature can have no application.

Subd. 4. Trains. (a) For purposes of this subdivision, "railroad operator" means a person who is a locomotive engineer, conductor, member of the crew of a railroad locomotive or train, or an operator of on-track equipment.

(b) A peace officer may not issue a citation for violation of this chapter or chapter 171 to a railroad operator involving the operation of a railroad locomotive or train, or on-track equipment while being operated upon rails.

(c) Notwithstanding section 171.08, a railroad operator is not required to display or furnish a driver's license to a peace officer in connection with the operation of a railroad locomotive or train, or on-track equipment while being operated upon rails.

History: (2720-155, 2720-156) 1937 c 464 s 5-7; 1945 c 383 s 1; 1949 c 521; 1957 c 130 s 1; 1959 c 66 s 1; 1973 c 28 s 1; 1974 c 23 s 1; 1974 c 350 s 1; 1978 c 739 s 6; 1981 c 321 s 3; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1987 c 63 s 1; 1999 c 241 art 9 s 41; 2000 c 478 art 2 s 7; 2001 c 24 s 1; 2002 c 319 s 1; 2012 c 287 art 4 s 15,16