Legal Question

[Powerstroke]

MN State statute 169.13 Careless Driving

Subd. 2.Careless driving.

Any person who operates or halts 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, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Subd. 3.Application.

(a) The provisions of this section apply, but are not limited in application, to any person who drives any vehicle in the manner prohibited by this section:

(1) upon the ice of any lake, stream, or river, including but not limited to the ice of any boundary water; or

(2) in a parking lot ordinarily used by or available to the public though not as a matter of right, and a driveway connecting the parking lot with a street or highway

[Powerstroke]

I think we can all say we've spun a few donuts in our time, or in some other way was screwing around on a snowy or icy road/lake or parking lot. The line is drawn between an empty road/lot etc and one that has people or cars nearby.

Next time, call 911. Most lakes only have one access, maybe two, it wouldn't be too hard to find these idiots. You sign a citizens arrest form and they get a misdemeanor ticket.

[bassmann77]

I called my buddy who is a sheriff in Isanti County and he said to call the police. They would make sure they took care of them!!

[hawkeye43]

I was thinking about taking my 15 year old daughter on the lake so she can see what its like to loose control and what she have to do to get out of trouble. maybe not

[Crm7290]

I prefer to slide through the corners on empty streets. On the ice I would be scared to go through. I wouldnt go as far as calling the police. Did he hurt you or your family? Was it overly loud and obnoxious?

Donuts really aren't at high speeds to begin with. Most of the time they end up stopping because of lack of power/traction. 50 feet might be close but even if they lost control they would stop with plenty of time.

[jBohmer]

I was thinking about taking my 15 year old daughter on the lake so she can see what its like to loose control and what she have to do to get out of trouble. maybe not

I still think you could. It only seems to be illegal if you are putting people in danger. Not necasarily breaking any traffic laws. I think that is a good idea. Abandon parking lots are a good idea too but hard to find sometimes. I lived in Oklahoma for a couple of years. Watching people trying to drive when it snowed 2" was hilarious. They just needed practice but did not have many chances. I had my wife drive out on the ice a couple of times so she would know better how to react in hairy situations.

[croixflats]

Hawkeye43 that is a pretty good idea. If you do it well enough away from others so not endanger them, which I know you no better, or annoy them whats it gonna hurt. Its a somewhat controlled scenario not like your being irresponsible. Make it legit and create a course with cones or boxes.

Try not to scare the jazeebers out of your daughter unless you dont want her to drive in the winter.

[Crm7290]

Definetly take your daugher out. No cop would question what you are doing once you explain the situation to them. My dad did that with me in empty parking lots (I had more miles going in reverse than any other person) so that I would be competent in all types of driving.

[bobbymalone]

50 feet is too close, although unless it's total glare ice the probability of going that far out of control is not much. Trust me I've tried to whip it that far hundreds of times since turning 16.

Cutting some dog nuts a safe distance away might be illegal, but it hasn't and it won't stop me from doing it now and then. If I was so worried about running out of control and killing everyone, while at the same time creating a massive tsunami pressure wave that sends everybody's house into the drink and ruining all my gear, I should be even more worried about driving to the grocery store as the likelihood of a serious and/or fatal accident is probably much greater. Some of you guys need to live a little. I do not look forward to getting old. cripes.

[CrappieNight]

Hawkeye, do it! My Dad did the same thing with my 3 brothers and I. You can't duplicate that sort of experience. Great idea and more people should do it.