By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: I was hoping in a future column you could talk about safely navigating a roundabout. Last fall, a roundabout was put in by our elementary school. Since the start of the 20-21 school year, I’ve been using it 20x/week dropping my kids off and picking them up.  I see many drivers stopping at the yield sign in order to … [Read more...]

Minnesota State Patrol Question: I was recently told that I could not keep the trailer ball mount attached to the receiver of the vehicle when it is not actually hooked up to a trailer.  Is this in fact true?  Answer: There is not a law in Minnesota that prohibits leaving a ball hitch in the receiver when not pulling a trailer.  I do recommend that you remove your receiver … [Read more...]

Minnesota State Patrol Question: I was recently told that I could not keep the trailer ball mount attached to the receiver of the vehicle when it is not actually hooked up to a trailer.  Is this in fact true?  Answer: There is not a law in Minnesota that prohibits leaving a ball hitch in the receiver when not pulling a trailer.  I do recommend that you remove your receiver … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: Did I hear there is extra DWI enforcement going on over the holidays? Answer: Yes, here is some information that we shared on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s blog. “The holidays are going to be different this year, that’s for sure. With Minnesota’s pandemic restrictions in place for now, friends and … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: If driving a commercial vehicle and stopped, what documents are needed to present to the trooper?  Answer: I will list what is covered in a “Level 1” inspection, done along with weight enforcement.  North American Standard Inspection: An inspection that includes examination of driver’s license; medical examiner’s … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: I have heard a lot about “click it or ticket” recently, I thought seat belt use was at an all-time high?  Answer: Most Minnesotans are making the life-saving decision to buckle up. According to the 2019 Minnesota Seat Belt Survey, 93.4% of front seat occupants are wearing their seat belts. Unfortunately, that means … [Read more...]

Question: How do you determine if your tires are unsafe for winter driving? Answer: Tire talk is important anytime of the year, but as winter approaches it is important to double your efforts when maintaining your tires. Over the years, I have investigated numerous crashes where worn tires were a contributing factor. Tires with inadequate tread depth may cause your vehicle … [Read more...]