Question: My wife and I love to ride our Honda 1800 Goldwing trike. Can our granddaughter ride between us on short rides? She is seven and loves to ride too. Answer: Your motorcycle owner’s manual states, “Your motorcycle is designed to carry you and one passenger.” Based on that and laws below, it is illegal and unsafe to allow a third passenger. When it comes to motorcycle … [Read more...]

Question: Can you drive in a bike lane? For instance, use it for a right turn lane? Answer: No, motorists are not allowed to drive in the bike lanes.  The solid white lines on any road mean do not cross. There are designated areas where the solid white line is converted to dashed lines and this is where motor vehicles are allowed to enter a bike lane to make a turn. Before … [Read more...]

Question: I read that the fine for going through a school bus stop arm will increase in Minnesota. Can you talk about the fine amount and school bus safety? Answer: State law requires all vehicles to stop for school buses when the bus driver activates the flashing lights and has the crossing arm fully extended.  As of Aug. 1, drivers who violate that law will face a larger … [Read more...]

Question: When does the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) get involved with crashes? Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol notifies the NTSB on the following types of crashes. • School bus injuries or death to student passengers. • Public or charter bus crashes resulting in death or injury to occupants. • Railway crossing crashes resulting in two or more deaths, or … [Read more...]

Question: I noticed a dog that was in a vehicle the other day at a local business parking lot and the occupants were not around. I was wondering what I should have done. With the recent warm weather, I can imagine the temperature inside the car must have been dangerously high for that dog. Is there a law against this? Answer: The law states that a person may not leave a pet … [Read more...]

Question: Can you be cited for illegal window tint if you recently purchased the vehicle through a dealer? Can the auto dealer can be charged with the violation? Answer: Citations may be issued to you and the dealer that sold you the vehicle with the illegal window tint. The law states a new motor vehicle dealer, used motor vehicle dealer, or motor vehicle lessor may not … [Read more...]

Question: What can be done about an aging family member when their driving skills become diminished and it becomes a safety concern? Answer: Older drivers in general are safe. As we age the risks behind the wheel increase with the possibility of declining cognitive, vision and physical abilities. Older drivers are more likely to get killed or injured because they are more … [Read more...]

Question: I was told that the fine for speeding in a construction zone had increased recently.  Could you also explain the Zipper Merge for merging into construction zones in Minnesota? Answer: A recent work zone crash left two people injured, so this is a great time to remind drivers about the importance of maneuvering through a work zone safely.  During the spring and summer … [Read more...]

Question: I was told that the Minnesota State Patrol is involved in teaching a school patrol camp in the summer. Can you provide me with some information about it? Answer: Legionville is a summer camp is where school patrol students are taught the fundamentals of school patrol, school bus safety, bicycle and pedestrian safety. It is located just north of Brainerd, and it … [Read more...]

  Question: What are the requirements for RV triple towing in Minnesota? Answer:  A recreational vehicle combination may be operated without an over-length type permit if: (1) the combination does not consist of more than three vehicles, and the towing rating of the full-size pickup truck or recreational truck-tractor is equal to or greater than the total weight … [Read more...]