Sgt. Troy Christianson

Question: My vehicle is equipped with airbags. Do I need to wear my seat belt? Answer: Yes, seat belt use is required. An airbag is a supplemental restraint system. Airbags work with seat belts to prevent injuries but are not designed to keep occupants from being ejected. For safety reasons, children under age 13 must ride in the back seat if it is available. Try to keep at least 10 inches…

Question: I can’t help but notice that it seems like a lot of people are following each other too close out on the highways. It’s been many years since I was in driver’s education but what is the recommendation for following distance? Answer: Here is information that is shared in the Minnesota Driver’s Manual. Applying the "Three-Second Rule" helps you keep a safe distance between your car and…

Question: I have a medical condition that causes me to lose consciousness on occasion. I am hoping to get a driver’s license. Is there anything I need to do? Answer: When applying for an instruction permit or driver’s license, you will be asked questions about medical conditions. Providing false information on the application could result in losing your driving privileges. If you have a medical…

Question: Since I've moved to Minnesota, I've seen many drivers use right turn lanes as a bypass lane.  Is this legal or does the sign reading "lane must turn" mean exactly what it says? Answer: White signs are regulatory and failing to comply can result in a citation for “fail to obey traffic control sign/signal.” “Right Turn Lanes” are what they are posted for, not passing or bypassing. The “…

Question: Hello, I thought I read somewhere that rest areas help reduce crashes. I saw a trooper at a rest area the other day, and it got me thinking about that. Can you write about that?  Answer: More than 20 million travelers stop at Minnesota rest areas annually. Rest areas serve as an essential safety feature on the highway system by giving travelers a place to stop and rest. This helps…

Question: I heard you on the radio the other day. You were talking about new, young drivers having some restrictions on their driver’s license. You mentioned something about a parent being able to take their license away. Could you explain more about that? Answer: I was talking about graduated driver license (GDLs) laws, which support a three-stage driver licensing system to phase in young…

Question: I do a lot of over-the-road traveling for work. Can I stop and stretch my legs along the freeway? Answer: Do not stop on the interstate or along the roadway. The only time you can stop on the freeway is for emergencies. Use the freeway exits/off-ramps and pull off onto the shoulder and park. If you are in need, Minnesota offers several rest areas throughout our great state. According…

Question: My question is why electric cars and trucks do not have front license plates? These are all from Minnesota which is required by law.  They are not from out of state. Answer: Electric vehicles are required to have a front license plate in Minnesota, this is a common equipment violation. Minnesota State Statute (M.S.S.) 169.79 states: “No person shall operate, drive or park a motor…

Question: What is the difference between careless or reckless driving? What about “exhibition driving”? Answer: In general, the difference between reckless and careless is that “reckless” is generally “intentional” or the driver “should know” that the driving behavior could injure or kill someone. Here’s more detail on how they differ: Reckless driving - This involves a motorist who’s aware of…

Question: Last week I noticed a truck with a snowplow blade on it. It took up the whole traffic lane. It was not a Minnesota Department of Transportation truck.  What is the legal length allowed for a snow blade? Answer:  The maximum legal width is 8 feet, 6 inches in Minnesota.  Snowplows start at widths of 6 ½ feet for smaller pickups and go up to 9- and 10-foot-wide plows for dump trucks.  The…

Question: I was wondering what the state guidelines are regarding smoked or tinted headlights. Are they legal? Answer: Minnesota law does not allow for this. It is illegal to equip or operate a motor vehicle with any equipment or material that covers a headlamp, tail lamp, or reflector. I’d also like to remind drivers about when headlights and taillights need to be on. Minnesota law says that…

Question: I noticed that the horn on my vehicle does not work. Is there a law that that says a vehicle must have a working horn and when it can be used?  Answer: According to state law, your vehicle must have a horn that’s “in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet. The horn or other warning device must not emit…

Question: I drive school bus and am a retired firefighter. Recently one of our buses was stopped – eight ways on, stop signs deployed – when two fire apparatus approached red lights and sirens. The apparatus did not slow and sped past the bus. I’ve always said regardless of what type of emergency vehicle, they must stop and wait for the school bus driver to shut down the eight ways (indicating…

Question: I see a lot of people that have their fog lights on, and when I am meeting them on the road, some are very bright and make seeing the road very difficult. Some of them appear to be out of alignment and are blinding. What is the law that covers this? Answer: If the fog lights are aimed too high and/or are too bright, they are illegal even if they are in compliance with the rest of the…

Question: I am getting my 4 place snowmobile trailer ready for a trip. Do I need brakes on all the axels? Answer: Brakes are required on all trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or more. If brakes are required, they need to be on all wheels of a trailer manufactured after June 30, 1988. Trailers equipped with three or more axles and manufactured prior to July 1, 1988, are not required to…

Question: Did I hear there is extra DWI enforcement going on over the holidays? Answer: Yes, here is some information that we shared on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s blog: The holidays are going to be different this year, that’s for sure. With Minnesota’s pandemic restrictions in place for now, friends and family likely aren’t coming into town to celebrate, and even if they do, you…