STATE EX REL SOL v BAKKER

Annotate this Case

Download PDF

No. 82-23 I N THE SUPREME COURT O THE STATE O MONTANA F F 1982 THE STATE O MONTANA, e x r e l . , COLONEL F JOE R. SOL, C h i e f , Montana Highway Patrol, P l a i n t i f f and Respondent, -vsVERNON J O H N BAKKER, Defendant and Appeal from: Appellant. D i s t r i c t Court of t h e T h i r t e e n t h J u d i c i a l D i s t r i c t , I n and f o r t h e County o f Y e l l o w s t o n e , The Honorable W i l l i a m 5 . S p e a r e , Judge p r e s i d i n g . Counsel of Record: For Appellant: B e r g e r , S i n c l a i r and N e l s o n ; James S i n c l a i r , B i l l i n g s , Montana For Respondent: Hon. Mike G r e e l y , A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l , Helena, Montana Harold F. H a n s e r , County A t t o r n e y , B i l l i n g s , Montana S u b m i t t e d on B r i e f s : Decided: Filed : AblG 11 4982 May 20, 1982 August 11, 1982 " D e c l a r a t i o n o f s p e e d l i m i t s -- e x c e p t i o n to the rule. The a t t o r n e y g e n e r a l shall d e c l a r e b y p r o c l a m a t i o n f i l e d w i t h t h e secret a r y o f s t a t e a s p e e d l i m i t f o r a l l motor v e h i c l e s o n a l l p u b l i c s t r e e t s and h i g h w a y s i n t h e s t a t e whenever t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t of such a s p e e d l i m i t b y t h e s t a t e is r e q u i r e d b y f e d e r a l l a w as a c o n d i t i o n to t h e s t a t e ' s continuing eligibility to receive funds a u t h o r i z e d b y t h e F e d e r a l Aid Highway A c t o f 1 9 7 3 and a l l a c t s a m e n d a t o r y t h e r e t o o r a n y other federal statute. The s p e e d l i m i t may n o t be l e s s t h a n t h a t r e q u i r e d by f e d e r a l law, and t h e a t t o r n e y g e n e r a l s h a l l b y f u r t h e r proclamation change t h e speed l i m i t adopted p u r s u a n t t o t h i s s e c t i o n to c o m p l y w i t h f e d e r a l law. Any p r o c l a m a t i o n i s s u e d p u r s u a n t t o t h i s s e c t i o n becomes e f f e c t i v e a t m i d n i g h t o f t h e d a y upon which i t is f i l e d w i t h t h e A s p e e d l i m i t imposed s e c r e t a r y of state. p u r s u a n t t o t h i s s e c t i o n is a n e x c e p t i o n to t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s o f 61-8-303 and 61-8-312, and speed i n e x c e s s of t h e speed l i m i t e s t a b l i s h e d p u r s u a n t t o t h i s s e c t i o n is u n l a w f u l n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g a n y p r o v i s i o n o f 61-8-303 and 61-8-312. " S e c t i o n 61-8-304, MCA. --- "Speed r e s t r i c t i o n s basic rule. (1) A p e r s o n o p e r a t i n g or d r i v i n g a v e h i c l e of any c h a r a c t e r on a p u b l i c highway o f t h i s s t a t e s h a l l d r i v e i t i n a c a r e f u l and p r u d e n t m a n n e r , and a t a r a t e o f s p e e d no g r e a t e r t h a n i s r e a s o n a b l e and p r o p e r u n d e r t h e c o n d i t i o n s e x i s t i n g a t t h e p o i n t of o p e r a t i o n , t a k i n g i n t o a c c o u n t t h e amount and c h a r a c t e r o f traffic, condition of brakes, weight of v e h i c l e , g r a d e and w i d t h o f h i g h w a y , c o n d i t i o n o f s u r f a c e , and f r e e d o m o f o b s t r u c t i o n to v i e w a h e a d , and h e s h a l l d r i v e it so as n o t t o unduly or unreasonably endanger t h e l i f e , l i m b , p r o p e r t y , or o t h e r r i g h t s o f a p e r s o n e n t i t l e d t o t h e u s e of t h e s t r e e t o r highway. "(2) Where no s p e c i a l h a z a r d e x i s t s t h a t r e q u i r e s lower s p e e d f o r c o m p l i a n c e w i t h subs e c t i o n (1) o f t h i s s e c t i o n , t h e s p e e d o f a v e h i c l e n o t i n e x c e s s of t h e l i m i t s s p e c i f i e d i n t h i s s e c t i o n or e s t a b l i s h e d as a u t h o r i z e d i n 61-8-309, 61-8-310, 61-8-311, and 61-8-313 is l a w f u l , b u t a speed i n e x c e s s of t h o s e l i m i t s is u n l a w f u l : "(a) 25 m i l e s p e r h o u r i n a n u r b a n d i s t r i c t ; "(b) 35 m i l e s p e r h o u r o n a h i g h w a y u n d e r c o n s t r u c t i o n or r e p a i r ; "(c) 55 m i l e s p e r hour i n o t h e r l o c a t i o n s during the nighttime, except t h a t the nightt i m e s p e e d l i m i t o n c o m p l e t e d s e c t i o n s of i n t e r s t a t e h i g h w a y s is 6 5 m i l e s per h o u r . " ( 3 ) ' D a y t i m e ' means from o n e - h a l f h o u r b e f o r e sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. ' N i g h t t i m e 1 means a t a n y o t h e r h o u r . " ( 4 ) The s p e e d l i m i t s s e t f o r t h i n t h i s s e c t i o n may be a l t e r e d b y t h e highway c o m m i s s i o n as authorized 61-8-313. in 61-8-309, 61-8-310, and "(5) The d r i v e r of a v e h i c l e s h a l l , cons i s t e n t with subsection ( l ) , drive a t an a p p r o p r i a t e r e d u c e d s p e e d when a p p r o a c h i n g and c r o s s i n g an i n t e r s e c t i o n or r a i l w a y g r a d e c r o s s i n g , when a p r o a c h i n g and g o i n g a r o u n d a c u r v e , when a p p r o a c h i n g a h i l l c r e s t , when t r a v e l i n g upon a n a r r o w o r w i n d i n g roadway and when a s p e c i a l h a z a r d e x i s t s w i t h respect t o p e d e s t r i a n s or o t h e r t r a f f i c o r by r e a s o n o f weather or highway c o n d i t i o n Section 61-8-303, MCA. ." " S p e c i a l speed l i m i t a t i o n s on t r u c k s , t-r u c k t r a c t o r s . m o t o r - d r i v e n c * c l e s , a n d v - v e h i c l e s towing h o u s e t r a i l e r s . No person s h a l l o p e r a t e any t r u c k or t r u c k t r a c t o r t h e q r o s s w e i g h t o f which e x c e e d s 8 , 0 0 0 p o u n d s a t s p e e d g r e a t e r t h a n 6 5 miles per h o u r o n t h o s e c o m p l e t e d s e c t i o n s o f i n t e r s t a t e and f o u r - l a n e d i v i d e d h i g h w a y s and 60 miles p e r h o u r on t h o s e completed s e c t i o n s of primary and s e c o n d a r y highways. However, t h e t r u c k n i g h t t i m e speed l i m i t s h a l l n o t exceed t h a t of a u t o m o b i l e s a s s t a t e d i n 61-8-303. . . - - - - a " ( 2 ) N o person s h a l l o p e r a t e any motor-driven c y c l e a t a n y t i m e m e n t i o n e d i n 61-9-201 a t a s p e e d g r e a t e r t h a n 35 m i l e s per h o u r u n l e s s s u c h m o t o r - d r i v e n c y c l e is e q u i p p e d w i t h a h e a d l a m p o r l a m p s which a r e a d e q u a t e to r e v e a l a p e r s o n o r v e h i c l e a t a d i s t a n c e of 3 0 0 f e e t ahead. " ( 3 ) N o p e r s o n s h a l l o p e r a t e a v e h i c l e which is towing a h o u s e t r a i l e r a t a speed g r e a t e r t h a n a maximum o f 50 m i l e s per h o u r Section 61-8-312, MCA. ." The defendant argues preempted instant that by t h e p r o v i s i o n s case, defendant a c t i o n began as a h a b i t u a l t h a t with the legislature, with of its MCA, S e c t i o n 61-8-304, when the traffic enactment of and S e c t i o n 61-8-312, S t a t e of of f e n d e r . l e g i s l a t u r e , S e c t i o n 6 6 , C h a p t e r 421, In the Montana c h a r g e d Defendant S e c t i o n 61-8-304, subsequent MCA. h a s been MCA, amendment contends by t h e 1974 by the 1979 t h a t under t h e e s t a b l i s h e d r u l e s of s t a t u t o r y construction our l e g i s l a t u r e c l e a r l y intended that Section preempts 61-8-304, Section 61-8-312, MCA, Montana D e p a r t m e n t o f Revenue v. ( 1 9 7 7 ) f 1 7 3 Mont. 3 1 6 , 5 6 7 P.2d No. Mont. 23, C h a p t e r 491, 1 0 2 , 540 P.2d the is MCA, as controlling to speeding and offenses. American S m e l t i n g and R e f i n i n g 901, 9 0 6 ; Matter of Montana S e s s i o n L a w s of 975; statute Hammill v . Senate B i l l 1973 ( 1 9 7 5 ) , 168 Young ( 1 9 7 5 ) , 1 6 8 Mont. 81, M r . J u s t i c e John Court. Conway H a r r i s o n d e l i v e r e d t h e O p i n i o n of the T h i s is a n a p p e a l from a n O r d e r o f t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t of t h e Thirteenth Judicial Bakker to be surrender a habitual his County o f District, drivers Ye11owstone1 t r a f f i c offender license to the and ad j u d g i n g d i r e c t i n g him to Montana Highway Patrol. The c o m p l a i n t was f i l e d s e e k i n g to d e c l a r e d e f e n d a n t a h a b i tual t r a f f i c offender. issued by the District August 12, 1981. the Honorable T h e r e a f t e r t h e o r d e r to show c a u s e was Court requiring him to appear on D e f e n d a n t s e c u r e d c o u n s e l and a p p e a r e d b e f o r e Speare, W i l l i a m J. sitting d e t e r m i n e d t h a t d e f e n d a n t was a h a b i t u a l without a jury, who t r a f f i c o f f e n d e r under t h e p r o v i s i o n s of our code. Bakker is a twenty-nine H i s s o l e means o f Wymont B e v e r a g e s . H i s driving record, trucks. an accumulation points. ( 10) of a 61-8-312, employed by s u p p o r t is t h a t o f d r i v i n g a s i n t r o d u c e d a t t h e h e a r i n g showed s t a t u s of violations thirty (30) habitual that under the provisions These v i o l a t i o n s o c c u r r e d MCA. 1 9 7 9 , and A p r i l 2 0 , 1 9 8 1 . the truck driver offender The t h i r t y ( 3 0 ) p o i n t s r e p r e s e n t a n a c c u m u l a t i o n o f t e n speeding cated year old the Montana d e f e n d a n t warning of Section between J a n u a r y During t h a t p e r i o d t h e r e c o r d Highway him o f Patrol the had indi- corresponded acccumulation of 15, with points and c o u n s e l i n g him a b o u t f u t u r e v i o l a t i o n s and t h e p o s s i b l e l o s s of h i s license. Following post-trial motions f o r a new t r i a l f i n d i n g s o f f a c t and c o n c l u s i o n s o f l a w , defendant f i l e d h i s n o t i c e of appeal. and to amend and d e n i a l of same, t h e The D i s t r i c t C o u r t e n t e r e d a n o r d e r , p u r s u a n t to a s t i p u l a t i o n between t h e p a r t i e s , staying j u d g m e n t p e n d i n g a d e c i s i o n by t h i s C o u r t . The sole i s s u e b e f o r e t h i s C o u r t is w h e t h e r S e c t i o n 61-8-312, MCA, h a s b e e n p r e e m p t e d b y p r o v i s i o n s o f S e c t i o n 61-8-304, MCA. T h r e e s e c t i o n s o f o u r code a r e b e f o r e u s i n c o n s i d e r i n g t h e issue presented. 540 P.2d 971. We find no argument with the cases cited and have long a d h e r e d to t h e p o s i t i o n t h a t i n c o n s t r u i n g a s t a t u t e t h e i n t e n t i o n of 1-2-102, t h e l e g i s l a t u r e m u s t be f o l l o w e d , However, MCA. be determined the i n t e n t i o n of f r o m t h e p l a i n meaning o f t h e meaning of i f possible. Section l e g i s l a t u r e must f i r s t t h e words u s e d , and if t h e s t a t u t e c a n be d e t e r m i n e d , c o u r t s may n o t go f u r t h e r and a p p l y a n y o t h e r means o f i n t e r p r e t a t i o n . S t a t e ex re1 36 St.Rep. 489; 364, 5 7 8 P.2d can be Haker v. 724. S o u t h w e s t e r n Ry C o . In t h i s case the ascertained from the and MCA, provides MCA, i n t e n t of plain 61-8-312, s p e e d l i m i t a t 5 5 m i l e s per h o u r . 61-8-303, (1978), P.2d 956, 1 7 6 Mont. the legislature as meaning written. MCA, m a k e s c l e a r t h a t it is a n e x c e p t i o n to S e c t i o n 61-8-304, S e c t i o n s 61-8-303, . --, 5 9 1 Mon t District Court ( 1 9 7 9 ) , - Z a n d e r v. in which MCA, e s t a b l i s h the The b a s i c r u l e s t a t u t e S e c t i o n subsection a nighttime (2)(c) that s p e e d i n e x c e s s o f 65 miles per h o u r o n t h e i n t e r s t a t e h i g h w a y is The d e f e n d a n t was c i t e d u n d e r S e c t i o n 61-8-312, unlawful. which p r o v i d e s that h o u r o n i n t e r s t a t e and four-lane speed limit for the clear as trucks s t a t e d i n S e c t i o n 61-8-303, Here and 6 0 m i l e s d i v i d e d highways, I n a d d i t i o n , it restricts t h e n i g h t - p e r hour on o t h e r highways. time is 65 miles p e r speed l i m i t f o r t r u c k s the MCA, same the for automobiles, as MCA. meaning of according to t h e plain-meaning 61-8-303, MCA, and 61-8-312, the statute rule. MCA, As can be determined set f o r t h i n Sections i t is o b v i o u s t h a t t h e s e sec- t i o n s s e t t h e s p e e d l i m i t s a t 60 m i l e s p e r h o u r and 6 5 miles p e r hour, and t h a t S e c t i o n 61-8-304, notwithstanding those l i m i t s , unlawful as p u r s u a n t to that MCA, s p e c i f i c a l l y provides t h a t a s p e e d a b o v e 5 5 miles per h o u r i s statute. Therefore, as in this c a s e , a t r u c k e x c e e d i n g t h e 50 m i l e per h o u r s p e e d l i m i t o n a completed s e c t i o n of mile hour per 61-8-304, MCA. speed the interstate, limit, would but be not exceeding charged under the 65 Section However, i n t h e e v e n t t h a t t h e t r u c k e x c e e d e d t h e 6 5 miles rate of driver would these two 61-8-304, be per hour charged speed on such a s t r e t c h under is it Section e n s u r e s t h a t it is u n d e r s t o o d t h a t s p e e d s between MCA, b y t h e l a s t s e n t e n c e of the Rating that clear 5 5 and 6 5 m i l e s p e r h o u r a r e a l s o u n l a w f u l . that the MCA. S e c t i o n 61-8-312, statutes limit highway, of S e c t i o n 61-8-304, legislature intended that T h i s i s made c l e a r which MCA, Section indicates 61-8-312, MCA, remained i n e f f e c t . In further we above, clarification to look guidance. other That next of rules our of step i n the interpretation statutory as given construction p r o c e s s of for i n t e r p r e t a t i o n is looked to t h e purpose of t h e s t a t u t e f o r g u i d a n c e i n i t s meaning. S e e S t a t e v. 37 S t . R p t r . (1982), Weese Mont . ---- , 616 P.2d 1620 a t 1622. The p u r p o s e o f S e c t i o n 61-8-304, was s i m p l y to p u t a l a w MCA, o n t h e b o o k s t h a t would e n s u r e t h e c o n t i n u e d r e c e i p t of highway funds, yet, impose no real penalty or federal hardship on T h i s is e v i d e n c e d by t h e m i n i m a l $5 ( f i v e ) f i n e , and violators. t h e f a c t t h a t no p o i n t s a r e a c c e s s e d f o r v i o l a t i o n . 60, 371, Laws o f Montana T h a t act p r o v i d e s t h a t t h e speed (1974). l i m i t established by t h e never limit is no longer Chapter 601 Laws such Section speed 31 See Chapter attorney general s h a l l t e r m i n a t e whe- required of by federal Montana law. (1974). The p u r p o s e o f t h a t p o r t i o n o f t h e s t a t u t e , o r t h a t which is now S e c t i o n 61-8-304, relating reading MCA. to speed MCA, limits was n o t to r e v i s e t h e s t a t u t o r y scheme in general. S e c t i o n 61-8-305(2) of Those , MCA, This and sections b a s i c a l l y provide i s made c l e a r by S e c t i o n 61-8-306(5), t h a t the local l a w may e s t a b l i s h lower s p e e d l i m i t s t h a n t h a t d e c l a r e d b y t h e a t t o r n e y general. clear, In addition, Section 7 , t o make t h e i n t e n t o f t h e act p e r f e c t l y Chapter c o d i f i e d as S e c t i o n 61-8-307, 60, MCA, Laws of Montana (1974), provides: " T h i s a c t i n no way a f f e c t s t r a f f i c c o n t r o l s t a t u t e s and v i o l a t i o n s o f e x i s t i n g s t a t u t e s shall be prosecuted solely as provided therein ." now O b v i o u s l y , t h e c l e a r i n t e n t o f t h e l e g i s l a t u r e was to e n a c t a new l a w when it passed C h a p t e r 60. But, the laws were f o r a l i m i t e d p u r p o s e , and t h a t p u r p o s e was a c h i e v e d by s e t t i n g f u r t h e r to e x i s t i n g exceptions laws and traffic without rewriting the e n t i r e t r a f f i c r e g u l a t i o n body of l a w . we Finally, 61-8-304, MCA, note that "preempts" provides f o r "implied the appellant other repeal" argues sections, argument. and that in Section so doing, It has been t h e long- e s t a b l i s h e d r u l e t h a t r e p e a l s by i m p l i c a t i o n a r e n o t f a v o r i t e s . R e p e a l s by i m p l i c a t i o n are n o t f a v o r e d and c o u r t s w i l l make e v e r y e f f o r t to r e c o n c i l e t h e s t a t u t e s i n q u e s t i o n s t o avoid r e p e a l s . H a r v e y ( 1 9 7 8 ) , ----- Kuchan v . St.Rep. 1547. also See ----- Mon t . ---- , 6 3 5 and Inc. Co., v. P.2d Dyar Mont Lee rewrite that the the v. State of 1 2 8 2 , 38 S t . R e p . (1980), Based on t h e above r u l e s of it c l e a r . ---- , 5 8 5 127 A r i z . 1298, Montana 1729. 565, (1981) Mead, 622 35 Samuel P.2d 512. s t a t u t o r y c o n s t r u c t i o n , we f i n d Montana s t a t e l e g i s l a t u r e d i d traffic P.2d regulations, and that s i m p l y an e x c e p t i o n to t h e o t h e r s t a t u t e s . not intend S e c t i o n 61-8-304 to is Here t h e l e g i s l a t u r e o n l y p a s s e d t h e s e c t i o n i n o r d e r t o e n s u r e a c o n t i n u e d r e c e i p t of f e d e r a l highway f u n d s . 61-8-303, MCA, S e c t i o n 61-8-304, and 61-8-312, MCA, MCA, as f a r as S e c t i o n s a r e c o n c e r n e d , a p p l i e s o n l y to s p e e d l i m i t s b e t w e e n 5 5 miles p e r h o u r and e i t h e r 6 0 o r 6 5 m i l e s per hour depending upon the type of highway o f f e n s e thereon. The j u d g m e n t o f t h e D i s t r i c t C o u r t is a f f i r m e d . incurred i We concur:

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.