(A) Upon streets and highways. No person shall operate a snowmobile upon the roadway, shoulder or inside bank or slope of any trunk, county state aid or county highway in the city and, in the case of a divided trunk or county highway, on the right-of-way between the opposing lanes of traffic, except as provided in this act. No person shall operate a snowmobile within the right-of-way of any trunk, county state aid or county highway between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, except on the right-hand side of such right-of-way and in the same direction as the highway traffic on the nearest lane of the roadway adjacent thereto. No snowmobile shall be operated at any time within the right-of-way of any interstate highway or freeway within the state.
(B) Crossing. A snowmobile may make a direct crossing of a street or highway at any hour of the day; provided:
(1) The crossing is made at any angle of approximately 90 degrees to the direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing;
(2) The snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way of the highway;
(3) The driver yields the right-of-way to all on-coming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard;
(4) In crossing a divided highway, the crossing is made only at an intersection of such highway with another public street or highway; and
(5) If the crossing is made between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or in conditions of reduced visibility, only if both front and rear lights are on.
(C) Equipment. No snowmobile shall be operated upon a public street or highway unless it is equipped with at least one headlamp, one taillamp, each of minimum candlepower as prescribed by regulations of the Commissioner, reflector material of a minimum area of 16 square inches mounted on each side forward of the handle bars, and with brakes each of which shall conform to standards prescribed by rule of the Commissioner pursuant to the authority vested in him or her by M.S. § 84.86, as it may be amended from time to time, and each of which shall be subject to approval of the Commissioner of Highways. Any sled, trailer or other device being towed by a snowmobile must be equipped with reflective materials as required by rule and regulation of the Commissioner.
(D) Exception. A snowmobile may be operated upon a public street or highway other than as provided by division (B) above in an emergency during the period of times when, and at locations where, snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.
(E) Highway Act applicable. All provisions of M.S. Ch. 169, as it may be amended from time to time, 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.
(1978 Code, § 702.02) Penalty, see § 71.99