Question: I want to work for a farmer during planting and harvest season driving a semi. I have a valid Class D driver’s license but no commercial driver’s license. Can I cross a state line while working for the farmer, Minnesota into North Dakota?
Answer: Yes, as long as you stay within 150 air miles of the farm. If you have additional questions regarding commercial motor-vehicles please contact cmvinfo@state.mn.us
Motorists need to be especially alert when they share the road with farm equipment that is often so large and heavy that accelerating, slowing down and stopping take more time and space than other vehicles. These vehicles also have large blind spots for operators and make wide turns and sometimes cross over the center line. All these factors can and do result in serious crashes.
Motorists are urged to:
•Slow down and use caution when approaching farm equipment. Don’t assume the operator can see you.
•Watch for debris dropped by trucks. It’s safer to brake or drive through debris than to veer into oncoming cars or off the road.
•Wait for a safe place to pass.
Farm equipment operators should:
•Use lights and flashers to make equipment more visible.
•Use slow-moving vehicle emblems on equipment traveling less than 30 mph.
•Consider using a follow vehicle when moving equipment, especially at night.
•Properly secure your load.
•Ensure all lights are clean and fully visible.
•Ensure all safety equipment, including brakes and tires, is well maintained.
Question: I seem to encounter a fair number of emergency vehicles running in emergency mode (lights and sirens.) I also can’t help but notice how many people don’t pull over and yield to them. Can you bring some attention to this?
Answer: Great topic for conversation. When an emergency vehicle (such as an ambulance, firetruck or police car) with flashing red lights and sounding a siren or bell approaches your vehicle on a two-way road, you must pull to the right and stop.
On a one-way road, pull to the nearest side and stop. If you are in an intersection, proceed through it before stopping. Remain stopped until all emergency vehicles have passed.
A law enforcement officer with probable cause to believe you have violated this law may arrest you within four hours of the violation.
You do not need to stop if the emergency vehicle is separated from your lane of traffic by a physical barrier like a fence, wall or median strip.
You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and of course, drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths.
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson – Minnesota State Patrol at 2900 48th Street NW, Rochester MN 55901-5848. (Or reach him at, Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us)
