Troy Christianson
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolAugust 03, 2021Question: I've often wondered why Troopers wear their badges on their pocket flaps and not their chests like other law enforcement officers. Can you tell me the story behind that? Answer: Each individual agency and department will have different rules and regulations as to how the badge is to be worn, although badge placement isn’t random and has some historical significance. Law enforcement…
June 22, 2021Question: I own a convertible that I only drive in the summer when it isn't raining. (I hate to put the top up). My commute to work is 1.2 miles each way. It is now of a vintage that I could get collector plates on it, but I've heard there are restrictions on when I can drive it with those plates displayed. What are the rules? I would like to have collector plates but want to be able to…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 25, 2021Question: What items should I have in my vehicle during this extreme cold weather? What is the proper procedure if I become stranded and/or go off the road? Answer: With the recent below zero temperatures, being prepared with an emergency kit and plan can save your life. We recommend the following items be in your vehicle, especially in the winter: •bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, cat…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolNovember 23, 2020Question: I have heard a lot about “click it or ticket” recently. I thought seat belt use was at an all-time high. Answer: Most Minnesotans are making the life-saving decision to buckle up. According to the 2019 Minnesota Seat Belt Survey, 93.4 percent of front seat occupants are wearing their seat belts. Unfortunately, that means more than 7 percent of motorists continue to risk their lives and…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolNovember 10, 2020Question: 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 Highway PatrolAugust 18, 2020Question: Can you talk about boat trailer safety with all the traffic we see pulling these things? Answer: State Troopers often encounter motorists pulling trailers that are experiencing breakdowns. Most often it involves a flat tire or trailer wheel bearing. Basic trailer maintenance involves greasing the wheel bearings. Wheel bearing failure can occur when maintenance is neglected. A trailer…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJuly 07, 2020Question: I have heard speeding over 100 mph has increased. What is the State Patrol doing about this problem? Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol, along with law enforcement agencies across the state, is currently conducting enhanced speed enforcement on the roadways through July 19. The extra enforcement will target speeding violations as well as aggressive driving. From April 1-May 21, the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMarch 03, 2020Question: 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…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolFebruary 04, 2020Question: Do I need to obtain the new Real ID and Driver’s License when my license expires? Answer: The Minne-sota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services division (DPS-DVS) began issuing REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards on Oct. 1, 2018, to comply with the federal REAL ID Act. Minnesotans are not required to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card; however,…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 21, 2020Question: I have a question regarding the auxiliary headlights on a truck with a plow. Are they a requirement? I purchased a plow for my truck recently and the lights that came with are not nearly as bright as the stock lights on my truck. My stock headlights actually work perfectly fine over the top of the plow without any glare back at me. Are the auxiliary headlights I always see on plow…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 14, 2020Question: What allows private for-profit ambulance companies to run tax-exempt license plates on their vehicles? Answer: Vehicles owned by ambulance services specifically intended for emergency response or providing ambulance services are exempt under the Minnesota State statutes. All services must have a valid license issued by the board. The license shall specify the base of operations, the…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 07, 2020Question: I see many vehicles driving down the road with ice and snow coming off of them. What is the law about clearing ice and snow from your vehicle prior to driving? Answer: The law states that no vehicle shall be moved on a roadway, unless the load is secured to prevent any leaking, blowing, shifting or falling debris. Ice or snow that may fall from a vehicle could be considered an unsecured…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolOctober 29, 2019Question: As we are ending the motorcycle season, I heard of an individual near Rochester who was killed by going off the road and striking a sign head on. He was not wearing a helmet. Being an individual who 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…- 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 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 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…
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