ask a trooper
- By Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolSeptember 05, 2016With the school year quickly approaching I would like to focus on the safety of our children. Following the guidelines below will help keep children safe around school buses. School bus safety tips for motorists: Motorists must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus displaying red flashing lights and/or its stop arm is extended. This is important not only when approaching a school bus from the…
By Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolAugust 08, 2016Question: I read a recent study by the AAA Foundation for traffic safety that nearly 80 percent of drivers expressed significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel at least once in the previous year. How many “road rage” incidents are reported to the State Patrol on a yearly basis? Answer: Troopers respond to a number of calls on a daily basis based on driving conduct and many other…
July 25, 2016Question: I own a 1994 BMW. Last time registration was due, I purchased a collector plate and joined the BMW club. I know you're not supposed to drive the car for everyday use, such as driving to the grocery store or running errands. I have a friend who told me I can only drive the car to club meetings or auto shows. True or not true? If not true, what are the restrictions to driving the car…
By Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJuly 11, 2016Question: There was a story in the news about a recent hit and run fatal crash where the State Patrol was looking for the public’s help in locating the vehicle that fled. How many hit and run incidents are there in Minnesota and what is the law that covers this? Answer: As a State Patrol public information officer, I will ask the media to assist us in identifying a driver or vehicle in a hit and…
By Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJune 27, 2016Question: How long does a speeding ticket and written warning ticket stay on your record? Answer: A written warning does not go on your driving record, but it is recorded in our computer system. Citations for speed, according to the Driver and Vehicle Services, generally stay on record for five years and serious speeds are 10 years. Each year illegal or unsafe speed is one of the leading…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolMay 23, 2016Q: My son is involved in school patrol at his school and I would like to know more about Legionville School Patrol Camp. A: There is a lot of information about Legionville School Patrol Training Camp. The Camp is where school patrol students are taught the fundamentals of school patrol, school bus safety, bicycle, and pedestrian safety. It is located just north of Brainerd and is operated by the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolMay 02, 2016Question: With all this attention to distracted driving recently, I know that a person can talk on a cell phone while driving if they are 18 years or older. I understand that it is illegal for anyone under that age to be on a cell phone. Does that apply to a hands-free device such as a blue tooth? Answer: Anyone under 18 years of age may NOT operate a vehicle while using a cell phone whether…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolApril 19, 2016Q: What are the requirements for RV triple towing in Minnesota? A: A recreational vehicle combination may be operated without an over-length type permit if: •the combination does not consist of more than three vehicles, and the towing rating of the full-size pickup truck or recreational truck-tractor is equal to or greater than the total weight of all vehicles being towed; •the combination does…
By Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolMarch 21, 2016Q: If I rent a properly licensed and lighted tow dolly from a rental company, can I tow a non-running vehicle that is not licensed (no current plates) and not insured? Do I need taillights in addition to the dolly lights? A: First I will explain what a tow dolly is for those that may not know. A tow dolly is little more than two wheels, an axle and a tow-hitch used to tow a front-wheel drive…
By Troy ChristiansonJanuary 25, 2016Question: I encountered a funeral procession along a two-lane highway (no roads entering this section of highway) and the lead funeral home vehicle had a light bar on the dash flashing an alternating red and blue light. Everyone on the highway going opposite the procession pulled over to the shoulder, thinking it was a police officer. Is this legal for the funeral home to do and what is the…
By Sgt. Troy ChristiansonDecember 28, 2015Question: If a person has a permit to carry in Minnesota, can they transport a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle? Answer: The permit to carry law applies only to handguns, so the answer is no with some exceptions. MS 97B.045- A person may not transport a firearm in a motor vehicle unless the firearm is: (1) unloaded and in a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm, and the case fully…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 01, 2015Question: Can you talk about winter driving safety? Answer: This is a great time to talk about it and remind drivers about the dangers of driving on slippery roads and reducing chances of being involved in a crash. •Avoid unnecessary travel if conditions are poor. •Buckle up, and make sure child restraints are tightly secured. •Drive at safe speeds according to road conditions, and provide for…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson of the Minnesota State PatrolNovember 02, 2015Question: My question is related to the blocking of rear license plates and the taillights on vehicles equipped with rear mount bicycle racks, and also the large platforms that mount into a receiver hitch and most often contain large coolers. Is it legal to block the rear of the vehicle and the license plate with this equipment? Yesterday I was behind a van that had two kayaks strapped to…- By sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolOctober 19, 2015Question: Hi, I read your “Ask a Trooper” responses in the daily news and have a question for you: common sense — I am aware it is illegal to leave your dog in the car, but I was also told it’s illegal to leave your car running/idling with the dog in the car so you can keep the air conditioner on for them. Wondering if this is true? I looked it up and saw no idling laws except for Minneapolis…
- By sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolOctober 05, 2015Question: Why are “new” license plates issued every seven years? Answer: Minnesota State Statute 168.12 states, “Plates issued for passenger automobiles must be issued for a seven-year period. All plates issued under this paragraph must be replaced if they are seven years old or older at the time of registration renewal or will become so during the registration period.” The replacement is in…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, the Minnesota State PatrolAugust 31, 2015Question: I was wondering if it is illegal to have the ball hitch in the receiver of my truck if I am not pulling any trailers at that time. Also is it illegal to have more than one ball on my bumper? Answer: No, it is not illegal to have a ball hitch in the receiver of a truck when not pulling a trailer. It is not illegal to have more than one ball hitch on the bumper. With that being said…
You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.