Question: Are people allowed to push their leftover snow out onto the highway for the snowplow to move it? Answer: According to Minnesota State Statute 160.2715, “It shall be unlawful to obstruct any highway or deposit snow or ice thereon.” This law prohibits the plowing, blowing, shoveling or otherwise placing of snow on to public roads, including the ditch and … [Read more...]
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Question: I was wondering if someone could tell me what the law is on commercial vehicles having window tint? I drive a dump truck and was wondering if window tint is allowed as long as it’s the 50% that is allowed in passenger vehicles or if it is illegal for dump trucks/semis to have any window tint. Any advice or a link to where I can find out would be greatly … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper ~ 12/19/2016
Question: I enjoy reading your column. I have been driving for a number of years but still get confused as to what all the white road markings mean. I know what the white dashes on a road/highway mean – OK to pass. But what do solid white lines mean, particularly if they are on a three-lane highway? Also, what do the intermittent white “bricks” mean? What do narrowly spaced … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper ~ 12/12/2016
Question: What are the legal ramifications if someone is arrested for DWI with a child in a vehicle? Answer: If the child is less than 16 years of age and is greater than 36 months younger than the driver, the DWI the violation would be enhanced to include Child Endangerment. • First offense DWI under a 0.16: 90 days in jail and/or $1,000 fine. • First offense DWI under a … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper ~ 12/5/2016
Question: The other day at an intersection I noticed a car with the windows so frosted up that the driver had to roll down a window to check for cars coming from my side. What is the law on frosted windows? When I received this question my initial thoughts were of a fatal pedestrian crash that I had been called to. I was the Crash Reconstructionist at an incident where an … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper ~ 11/28/16
Question: What is the procedure if I hit a deer with my vehicle, can I keep it? Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol does issue permits for road-kill deer generally right at the time of the crash or soon after. Any Minnesota resident may claim a road-killed animal by contacting a law enforcement officer. An authorization permit can be issued, allowing the individual to … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper ~ 11/14/16
Question: What is the difference between careless or reckless driving? What about “exhibition driving”? Answer: In general, the difference between reckless and careless is that “reckless” is generally “intentional” or the driver “should know” that the driving behavior could injure or kill someone. Here’s more detail on how they differ: … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper – 11/7/16
Question: Do I need to have a mirror on the outside passenger side of the door on my pickup truck? It has one on the driver’s side and a rear view on the windshield. Answer: Being that your pickup has one on the windshield and one on the driver’s side, you are legal in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Driver’s Manual, all passenger vehicles must be equipped with … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper ~ 10/31/17
Question: 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 the manual, it must be a law. Answer: … [Read more...]
Ask a Trooper ~ 10/24/16
Question: We have a debate in our house about the pedestrian law. Is a pedestrian standing curbside considered a “crossing pedestrian” if they are giving all indications they are planning to cross? Are motorists required to stop for such a curbside pedestrian if they can do safely? Answer: This is a great time of year to review this law as the days get shorter and the nights … [Read more...]