Fines and Court Appearances for Driving on Closed Roads
Citations may be issued for motorists who attempt travel on closed roads. Many of these require a court appearance in addition to fees. Misdemeanors could be on your driving record. Fines can range up to $500.
MN Statute 169.14:
Speed Limits, Zones; Radar
Subdivision 1. Duty to drive with due care.
No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions. Every driver is responsible for becoming and remaining aware of the actual and potential hazards then existing on the highway and must use due care in operating a vehicle. In every event speed shall be so restricted as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.
Other Possible Weather-Related Driving Citations
Speed
Everyone has a duty to drive with due care for the current conditions. Minnesota Statute 169.14, subd. 1 requires each motorist who drives upon a highway to operate at a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the conditions. Every driver is responsible for becoming and remaining aware of the actual and potential hazards then existing on the highway and must use due care in operating a vehicle. In every event speed shall be so restricted as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.
Violation of Right-of-Way-Use
Violation of a Minnesota Statute 160.2715(a)(14) prohibits a driver from driving over, through, or around any barricade, fence, or obstruction erected for the purpose of preventing traffic from passing over a portion of a highway closed to public travel or to remove, deface, or damage any such barricade, fence, or obstruction
Careless Driving
It is a crime for any person to operate or halt any vehicle upon any street or highway carelessly or heedlessly in disregard of the rights of others, or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any property or any person, including the driver or passengers of the vehicle.
Windshield
Minnesota Statute 169.71, subd. 3 requires any vehicle driven to have the windshield and front side windows free of any steam or frost that would prevent proper vision.
Reckless Driving
It is a crime for a person to drive a motor vehicle while aware of and consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk that the driving may result in harm to another or another's property. The risk must be of such a nature and degree that disregard of it constitutes a significant deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the situation. If the violation causes great bodily harm it is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $3,000 fine.
Criminal Vehicular Operation
If a person causes great bodily harm as a result of operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner, substantial bodily harm, or any other type of bodily harm they may be sentenced to imprisonment between 364 days and five years or to the payment of a fine of up to $10,000.
Criminal Vehicular Homicide
If a person causes the death of a human being as a result of operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner, they may be sentenced to imprisonment for up to 10 years or to the payment of a fine of up to $20,000.
Unsafe Tires
Minnesota Statute 169.724 requires every person to insure any passenger vehicle which they operate on a highway be equipped with tires in safe operating condition.