Question: Would you tell me the significance of the color Maroon for the Minnesota State Patrol please? I travel around all over and never saw another agency with this as their primary color for uniform or squad car. Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol was created in 1929. The original trooper uniform was a long gray coat, riding boots, grey knee-high pants and eight-corner … [Read more...]

Question:  What is the correct following distance? Everyone seems to be way too close behind each other.  Answer:  The only law regarding following distance pertains to vehicles pulling trailers. This includes trucks as well as semi-truck tractors with trailers. They must maintain a minimum distance of 500 feet. While state law does not require a specific distance for … [Read more...]

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 hitch when it is not in … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: I recently purchased a trailer that requires yearly tabs. I’m worried the plate will get damaged if I mount it to the manufacturers bracket. I have noticed over the years that owners of some trailers have mounted their trailer plates on the fender well in a vertical position and not horizontal so it can be read … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol 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 … [Read more...]

Question: What items should I have in my vehicle during this extreme cold weather? What is the proper procedure if I become stranded and/or go off the road? Answer: With the recent below zero temperatures, being prepared with an emergency kit and plan can save your life. We recommend the following items be in your vehicle, especially in the winter: • Bag of abrasive … [Read more...]

Question: If the results of a PBT reading cannot be used against a DWI suspect in court, why is a suspect charged with refusing PBT if that’s what they choose? Answer: Under state law, a preliminary breath test (PBT) is authorized when a law enforcement officer has reason to believe that a person has violated DWI laws. There are certain situations where the PBT can and will … [Read more...]

Question: I was told that motorists have to yield to a city bus when it enters the road from a bus stop, is this true? Answer: There is a state law that says that a driver of a vehicle traveling in the right-hand lane of traffic shall yield the right-of-way to any transit bus attempting to enter that lane from a bus stop or shoulder, as indicated by a flashing left turn … [Read more...]

Question:  Are orange signs supposed to be advisory or warning signs? Can you get a ticket for going the speed of the white sign when there is also some orange signs posted? I’ve seen some construction zones with white and orange signs posted 55 mph and then some orange signs with 35 mph speed signs. What is the legal speed limit? Answer: The white speed limit signs are the … [Read more...]

Question:  How do you determine if your tires are unsafe? 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 to skid or slide … [Read more...]