By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: 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 … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: I heard on TV the State Patrol responded to over 1,300 crashes and five fatal crashes the last several days. Do you have any tips for winter driving? Answer: Snow and ice can make driving a bit more challenging, even if you grew up here. It not only involves knowing what to do while your vehicle is in motion, but preparing carefully … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: My question stems from all the vehicles that have loud music playing.  I can hear them coming from blocks away.  When they drive by my house the windows actually rattle.  Is there a state law or ordinance against these boom boxes on wheels? Answer: Minnesota does not have a state law prohibiting loud music inside a vehicle, but many … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: I was wondering what the state guidelines are regarding smoked or tinted headlights. Are they legal? Answer: Minnesota law does not allow for this. It is illegal to equip or operate a motor vehicle with any equipment or material that covers a headlamp, tail lamp, or reflector. I’d also like to remind drivers about when headlights and … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: This summer I sent you an email asking about the legality of individuals discharging grass clippings from lawn mowers onto public roads. They can be very slippery when wet and otherwise are a mess. I never heard back from you, nor did I see a response in my local paper  Please advice concerning the grass clippings on public roads.   … [Read more...]

Question: How far can tires stick out from fenders on road worthy vehicles? My son put big fancy tires on his truck and says they are fine but I thought there was a limit? Answer: Minnesota law states that all passenger vehicles shall have fenders, or other devices, that are designed to prevent, as far as practicable, water, dirt or other material being thrown up and to the … [Read more...]

Question: A friend recently told me that it’s illegal to honk your car horn in Minnesota (he showed me an internet article).  I find this hard to believe.  So many friends and family members drive by our house, giving their horn a little honk and waving; is this illegal?  What if you’re behind someone at a stoplight who hasn’t noticed the light turned green — is it illegal to … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson 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 … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: 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 … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: I have noticed cars that have a high-mounted center brake light that flashes about four times before becoming steadily lit (like other brake lights). I’m seeing car dealers are installing them on some cars. Are these flashing lights legal? Answer: These types of devices and alterations to the brake lights are not legal according to state … [Read more...]