Question: I have a question about the lawful thing to do in regards to a school bus with lights flashing. If I am driving down a two-lane street with no stop sign and approaching an intersection with a cross street. A bus approaches from the cross street (my left) and stops somewhere before the intersection with red lights activated. Should I stop before the through-street … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: I saw in one of your recent articles talking about stopping for a school bus. In the article you stated, “Motorists are not required to stop for a bus if the bus is on the opposite side of a separated roadway (median, etc.) – but they should remain alert for children.” Can you explain the “etc.” as I still have questions. Answer: Excellent question and yes, I can. … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: I see a lot of people not wearing their seat belt correctly. Several of them, have the shoulder belt worn underneath the shoulder/arm. Can you provide some education on this? Answer: Seat belt use is required with a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt, including both the shoulder and lap belt when the vehicle is so equipped. You are more likely to survive a car … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: I am seeing more and more of these “J-turns” in Minnesota. Can you explain those to people who might not be familiar? Thank you. Answer: J-turns are used to decrease fatalities and injuries caused by broadside crashes on four-lane divided highways. At a J-turn, drivers on the side street approaching the divided highway always make a right turn. To cross the highway … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: Can you talk about how people need to make proper turns? I see a lot of unsafe maneuvers when it comes to turning. Answer: Drivers who turn improperly cause many traffic crashes. Move safely into the correct lane well ahead of the place where you will make the actual turn. • Slow down before turning. Signal your intent at least 100 feet before the turn. Signals … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: I saw your last article was about stopping. With school just around the corner, can you talk about stopping for the school bus? Answer: I certainly can and with last year’s law change it’s a good reminder. Previously, the law required drivers to stop for a bus’s red flashing lights and extended stop arm. Alarmingly, this could create a situation where some drivers … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: I’m seeing more and more vehicles in Minnesota with dark tinted windows. I thought there was a law prohibiting dark tinted windows on both the driver and passenger windows but back windows can be dark. Unless the laws changed and I didn’t know. Thank you Answer: In Minnesota, you can have your windows tinted to a light transmittance of 50%, but not less. Light … [Read more...]
Ask A Trooper
Question: Hello, I live in “cabin country” and it never fails, during the summer months with the influx of traffic, there are always arguments regarding traffic “laws” or “it’s just being Minnesota nice.” There’s been several near misses and I can see both sides of the argument and wondering if you can help clear up an ongoing discussion. At a single-lane intersection, the … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper
Question: My kid just received their driver’s license. It was during this time that I found out they are limited on their passengers. They want to give their friends a ride but I think more people should know about this on the limitations. Answer: Teen drivers are only allowed to have one passenger under the age of 20 for the first six months they have their provisional … [Read more...]
Ask A Trooper
Question: I bought a boat and the width is 10 feet wide, how can I legally haul it to different lakes? Answer: The maximum length cannot exceed the width of 8 feet 6 inches. This is the maximum dimension that may be operated on Minnesota roadways without a special permit. The maximum height is 13 feet 6 inches. If you exceed the height or width, then you would have to … [Read more...]