Troy Christianson
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…
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 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…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolApril 22, 2019Question: Can someone that had a shoulder replacement and will be in a sling for four more weeks still be legal to drive with one arm? Answer: There are no restrictions placed on a license for this situation, unless a physician notifies Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) of such. If the driver’s (lack of) control of the vehicle due to this type of injury causes issues that make for a traffic stop…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolApril 02, 2019Question: What are the most common vehicle equipment violations you see? Answer: I have witnessed and investigated numerous equipment violations over the course of my career as a Minnesota State Trooper. The most common violations I have seen are: •Window tint violations: Law prohibits tint on the front windshield. Passenger cars are limited to 50 percent on all side and rear windows. Pickups,…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMarch 19, 2019Question: What is the law about pickup trucks with the flashing amber lights? I noticed some of them traveling down the road when they are not actively plowing. Also, is there a law against plowing or blowing snow onto a public road? Answer: Minnesota state law says that a service vehicle shall not display a lighted lamp when traveling on the highway or at any other time except at the scene of a…
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