ask a trooper
- October 15, 2019Question: Minnesota just recently enacted a hands free while driving law, but many states do not have such a law. How is this enforced when people from out of state are traveling on our interstate highways? I have not seen any signs go up stating that Minnesota is hands-free. Would violators just be issued a warning? Answer: The law will be enforced for all drivers on Minnesota roadways. …
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolOctober 01, 2019Traffic quiz: 1. It is legal to operate a motor vehicle without a license plate light. True or False 2. The use of headphones while driving a motor vehicle is legal as long as the driver has one ear uncovered. True or False 3. The maximum bumper height for a private passenger vehicle or station wagon is 20 inches. True or False 4. It is legal to drive a pickup with the tailgate…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolSeptember 10, 2019Question: As we are ending the Motorcycle season I heard of an individual near Rochester, MN whom was killed by going off the road and struck a sign head on. He was not wearing a helmet. Being an individual whom has been in a motorcycle accident with the helmet likely saving my life, why are helmets not required in the State of Minnesota for all two and three wheel bikes? Answer: There is not a…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolSeptember 03, 2019Question: When turning left on a blinking yellow light, should one pull into the intersection? It seems like a blinking yellow should let at least one car through, but often cars will wait behind the line, negating the ability to move traffic through the intersection. Answer: If you are preparing to turn left at a flashing yellow light, you must enter the intersection with caution, as oncoming…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolAugust 27, 2019Question: I'm writing to you to ask a question regarding whether or not you might know where the signal is that I can only assume is the method to tell current "smarter" cars what the speed limit is on the road or highway they are currently driving. I wonder how accurate they really are. Answer: Never rely solely on the displayed GPS speed reading. Your vehicle’s speedometer is the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolAugust 20, 2019Question: Can you please explain the new law that requires drivers to move to the right lane if they are impeding traffic by traveling under the posted speed limit? Answer: Modernized language regarding left lane usage was added to Minnesota state statute for those drivers that drive in the left lane below the posted speed limit and are impeding traffic. The new law, starting Aug. 1, requires…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJuly 30, 2019Question: With the upcoming new hands-free law that is effective August 1, can a teen that is under 18 years old and has a driver’s permit or provisional driver’s license use their phone in hands-free mode? Answer: The new hands-free law does not change anything for teens under 18 with a driver’s permit or provisional driver’s license: They cannot make or answer calls while driving (hand-held or…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJuly 09, 2019Question: Can you give out information about fog lights? I notice a lot of people have them on and when I am meeting them on the road in the evening or at night, some are very bright and make seeing the road very difficult. Some of them appear to be out of alignment and are blinding. I hope that having people read this will help make a difference. Thanks. Answer: There are some specific…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJune 25, 2019Question: When the speed limit changes on a road, does the new speed limit start at the sign, or does it start when you can see the sign? Answer: The speed zone becomes effective when you reach the sign. If the speed limit reduces, you must begin to slow down before the sign. If the speed limit increases, you must wait until you reach the new speed limit sign before increasing your speed. Each…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJune 18, 2019Question: Can a person have an alcoholic beverage while operating a boat on a lake? How about if you are a passenger in the back of a motor home? Answer: It is against the law for any person to consume alcohol in any vehicle while on a public road. Public highways are any road, paved or not, that are open to the public for vehicular traffic. The law also applies to open alcohol containers that…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJune 11, 2019Question: When golf carts are using a pedestrian crosswalk, are vehicles required to yield? This happens in some towns where the roadway separates a golf course. Answer: Unless there is an ordinance or some other special allowance set by local or state officials, golf carts are treated as motor vehicles and not pedestrians. Minnesota State Statute talks about electric personal assistive mobility…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJune 04, 2019Question: The driver’s training manual says to have both hands on the steering wheel. First it was “two and ten” and now with airbags they say “nine and three.” The question, is it a law that you must have both hands on the wheel? I have never seen that as a law and if so there sure would be a lot of violations. I’m thinking if it is in the manual, it must be a law. Answer: There is not a law…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMay 28, 2019Out of the tragedy of one teen’s death comes life-saving change for Minnesotans statewide. For Kathy Cooper, her family’s efforts to strengthen Minnesota’s seat belt law began after her daughter Meghan’s unbelted death. Their advocacy is saving lives. In 2009 the state’s primary seat belt law took effect in honor of Meghan. It is helping contribute to fewer unbuckled people dying in traffic…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMay 14, 2019Question: Both my daughter and I have a disability. I have the handicap license plates on my car and she only has a placard. When she drives my car, does she have to use her placard to park? Answer: The registered license plates are designed for you to be able to park that vehicle in a disabled/handicap parking location. If your daughter has her own permit, she would need to display her permit in…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMay 07, 2019Question: Can you please explain the new hands-free cell phone law? Answer: Under the law, you may not hold your phone in your hand and cannot use it at any time for video calling, video live-streaming, Snapchat, gaming, looking at video or photos stored on the phone, using non-navigation apps, reading texts and scrolling or typing on the phone. The new law does allow a driver to use their cell…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolApril 30, 2019Question: I want to install a lift kit and put bigger tires on my Jeep. I want to comply with all the state laws. What is a bumper height law and the law about tires that extend out past the fenders? Answer: Anytime you make any modification or alteration to a vehicle’s stock suspension and tires/rims, it can change how that vehicle handles, steers, brakes and could affect its overall performance…
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