Question: I read one of your articles about motorcyclists needing to wear eye protection. Do contacts qualify as eye protection? Answer: Contact lenses do not qualify as protective eyewear. Motorcyclists are required to wear protective eyewear, such as glasses, goggles or a face shield, even if the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen. Drivers, look twice for motorcycles, … [Read more...]
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Question: I read your column in the newspaper but don’t think I’ve seen this question. When traveling in the Twin Cities with the required number of passengers in your car, can you use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes? Do you need to have a transponder set to carpool or some setting to indicate you meet the minimum number of passengers? I often have enough passengers but … [Read more...]
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By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: I know it’s discouraged but is it actually illegal for students to be standing on a school bus while it is moving? Answer: Minnesota state law says no person shall stand in a school bus when the bus is in motion. In addition, the aisle and emergency exit of a school bus shall be kept unobstructed at all times when children are being … [Read more...]
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Question: What is the Ted Foss law in Minnesota? Answer: The law got its name from a tragedy. Trooper Ted Foss was conducting a traffic stop August 30, 2000, on the shoulder of Interstate 90 when he was hit and killed by a passing vehicle. He left behind his wife Andrea and two kids. Emergency responders working on the shoulder of the road have got your back. Do you have … [Read more...]
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By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: Hello, I am part of a group sponsoring a family from the Ukraine. They arrived a couple weeks ago and we have met with the state offices to get them lined up with Social Security numbers, work permits, etc. The husband and wife both have current driver licenses from Ukraine. They want to obtain a Minnesota license and are scheduled for the … [Read more...]
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Question: I have heard you talk about the importance of tires on your vehicle. Can you get this in your article? I think this is helpful information. Answer: The thousands of pounds of metal of engineering and technology is riding on four pieces of rubber transporting the world’s most precious cargo – you. Important is an understatement. While I could go on for hours about … [Read more...]
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By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: We are well into summer, but can you please talk about some basic vehicle checks? I stopped to help someone who had broken down alongside the road the other day, and they had no clue to what I thought was common sense stuff: coolant, fluids, battery maintenance and lights. Thanks for keeping people informed. Answer: As a state trooper, we … [Read more...]
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By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: I bought a used vehicle a while back. Where can I check to see if there have been any safety recalls on it? Thank you. Answer: There are several different ways and places to get this information. One place to look is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. NHTSA’s recalls look-up tool lets you enter your vehicle … [Read more...]
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Question: I read your article last week on not having a driver’s license in possession; what about proof of insurance in your vehicle. Answer: Every driver is required to carry proof of insurance while driving. They must also produce proof of insurance when requested by an officer during a traffic stop or an incident such as a crash. You can be cited for no proof on insurance … [Read more...]
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By Sgt. Troy Christianson Question: My daughter recently left her license at her grandparents’ house and couldn’t get it for a week, so we were wondering... Do you need to carry your physical driver’s license card with you while driving? What happens if you get pulled over and don’t have it with you? Answer: Minnesota law states that a person shall have their driver license … [Read more...]