Troy Christianson
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJanuary 10, 2024Question: I was wondering, with the ads on television showing people driving with their hands off the steering wheel, is that legal in Minnesota if your vehicle has that capability? Answer: I believe you are asking about autonomous vehicles, or self-driving cars, which are capable of sensing their environment and operating without human involvement. Minnesota law states that every driver is…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 06, 2023Ask a Trooper Question: I hear there that DWI’s can become more of an issue around the winter holidays. Can you talk about that? Thank you for all you do. Answer: Minnesota Law Enforcement is participating in a statewide campaign that includes extra DWI enforcement that started the day before Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. Over the past five years (2018-2022), more than 120,000 people…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolNovember 26, 2023Question: The first snow storm of the season seemed to catch a lot of us by surprise. Can you talk about what to do to be ready for winter travel? Thank you and be safe. Answer: You are correct, and it comes down to being prepared. While summer months are the deadliest on Minnesota roads, wintertime leads to the most crashes and poses safety risks and hazards. Here are some tips to help stay…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolOctober 25, 2023Question: I have had a few conversations with others about turning right on red. Can you tell me what the rules are in Minnesota? It’s frightening to see the chances some drivers are taking. Answer: A steady red light means stop and wait for the light to change. Come to a complete stop at the stop line before the crosswalk or entering the intersection. After stopping, you may make a right turn…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolOctober 11, 2023Question: I read one of your articles about motorcyclists needing to wear eye protection. Do contacts qualify as eye protection? Answer: Contact lenses do not qualify as protective eyewear. Motorcyclists are required to wear protective eyewear, such as glasses, goggles or a face shield, even if the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen. Drivers, look twice for motorcycles, especially when…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolSeptember 13, 2023Question: I know it’s discouraged, but is it actually illegal for students to be standing on a school bus while it is moving? Answer: Minnesota state law says no person shall stand in a school bus when the bus is in motion. In addition, the aisle and emergency exit of a school bus shall be kept unobstructed at all times when children are being transported. Stop for school buses: It's the law…
By Sgt. Troy ChristiansonSeptember 01, 2023Question: We are well into summer, but can you please talk about some basic vehicle checks? I stopped to help someone who had broken down alongside the road the other day, and they had no clue to what I thought was common sense stuff: coolant, fluids, battery maintenance and lights. Thanks for keeping people informed. Answer: As a state trooper, we see a lot out on the highways, and I am always…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJune 06, 2023Question: If you are 15 years old and have a farm permit to drive a farm truck, how late at night can you drive? Answer: A Minnesota Farm Work license allows a 15-year-old to drive alone only to perform farm work for his or her parent during daylight hours, within 20 miles of the farmhouse, and in cities with populations of less than 100,000. The parent must complete a Farm Work License affidavit…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMay 02, 2023Question: My husband always used to say “never use your cruise control during any rain.” Is that still true with advances on tires and technology? Answer: He is correct. Cruise control should never be used on wet or icy roadways. If your wheels lose traction, the cruise control will continue to accelerate, causing the vehicle to skid. By the time you realize you are skidding, it could be too…
- By Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolApril 11, 2023Question: Are smoked tail lights illegal in Minnesota? Answer: Minnesota law states that “tail lamps shall be plainly visible from a distance of 100 feet to the rear during normal sunlight and at night.” The same goes for turn signals and headlights. Smoking, tinting, covering or placing any material over tail lights, brake lights, headlights or turn signals would be illegal and unsafe as they…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 31, 2023Question: I was wondering if you are stopped at a stoplight in the left turn lane and an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens comes in behind you (either in the turn lane or the lane to your right), what is the proper procedure? Thank you! Answer: When it comes to encountering emergency vehicles while stopped at a stoplight and the only place to move is the actual intersection, it is best to…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 03, 2023Question: How do you determine if your tires are unsafe for winter driving? Answer: Over the years, I have investigated numerous crashes where worn tires were a contributing factor. Tires with inadequate tread depth may cause your vehicle to skid or slide out of control on a slippery or wet road surface. It is important to remember that unsafe tires can hydroplane on both wet and snow covered…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolDecember 05, 2022Question: How do you determine if your tires are unsafe for winter driving? Answer: Over the years, I have investigated numerous crashes where worn tires were a contributing factor. Tires with inadequate tread depth may cause your vehicle to skid or slide out of control on a slippery or wet road surface. It is important to remember that unsafe tires can hydroplane on both wet and snow covered…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolSeptember 27, 2022Question: Is it legal for farmers to load hay on a state highway? Our neighbor bales several miles of state highway ditches. To load the round bales, he drives down the highway with a pickup and bale wagon. His son is in the ditch with a tractor and loader. The son gets a bale on the loader and driving perpendicular to the road drives up the ditch and puts the bale on the bale wagon. The son with…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJuly 19, 2022Question: If involved in a minor auto accident with another driver, what steps should be taken at the scene by both parties? Answer: Crashes happen every day in Minnesota. Crashes are one of the State Patrol’s primary duties. It’s important to know what to do immediately after a crash happens. The first and most important thing to do after you’ve been involved in a crash is to get to a safe place…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolApril 12, 2022Question: I saw your recent article about flooded roads. Do you have any advice on what a person should do if their vehicle plunges into the water? Answer: The dynamics of such an incident are ever-changing, so there is no one answer that will cover it all. Having witnessed and responded to these types of situations, here is what I would recommend. Most vehicles will float on the water’s surface…
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