Question: I see vehicles with straight pipes, motorcycles with straight pipes and hear many others that sound as if they have no muffler.  If the law is there why is it not enforced? Answer:  Minnesota State Statute 169.69 states:  “Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order which blends the exhaust noise into the overall vehicle … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: I am planning on taking a motorcycle trip across the country. Does a trailer pulled behind a motorcycle need to be registered? Answer: If you are pulling a trailer, it must be registered according to its weight.  If the trailer is lightweight it may be permanently registered as a utility trailer or as an RV under … [Read more...]

By Sgt. Troy Christianson Minnesota State Patrol Question: Is it illegal to drive barefoot in Minnesota? Answer: Driving a motor vehicle barefoot in Minnesota is legal, although secured footwear is safer. Crashes are sometimes caused by loose sandals or flip flops that interfere with the brake and acceleration pedals. This brings up another safety issue. Make sure the … [Read more...]

Question: Would law enforcement give me a citation if I have a prescription, from my eye doctor, saying that I get migraine headaches from intense lighting and my truck windows can be tinted to 20% on driver and passenger windows, for no more than two years? Answer: Drivers must be in possession of a prescription or document from their doctor regarding the medical need to … [Read more...]

Question: Can you talk about motorcycle safety? Answer: With spring upon us and motorcycles once again sharing the highways, this is a great time to provide motorcycle crash facts and safety tips. We currently have had two fatal motorcycle crashes this year. In Minnesota, over half of motorcycle crashes are single vehicle crashes.  Motorcycle use is at an all-time high and … [Read more...]

Question:  I noticed that the horn on my vehicle does not work. Is there a law that that says a vehicle must have a working horn and when it can be used? Answer: According to state law, your vehicle must have a horn that’s “in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet. The horn or other warning … [Read more...]

Question: What is your policy on troopers wearing the high visible safety vests while at a crash scene?  Stay safe out there. Answer: All workers (tow truck drivers, EMS, fire, police etc.) who are working at a crash scene are required to wear high visibility garments or approved fire department gear, per the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and … [Read more...]

Question: How and what does law enforcement do when they come across someone who is deaf or has hearing disabilities? Answer: This is a good question and as a State Trooper I have come across situations dealing with this on traffic stops, motorist assists and crashes. Minnesota’s deaf and hard of hearing community recently helped create a two-way communication card. They … [Read more...]

Question: If I’m driving a friend’s car whose license is suspended, if the officer runs the plates and it comes back to my friend, can he pull me over just because the registered owner’s license is suspended? Is that probable cause to stop me? My license is valid. Thanks. Answer: While on patrol, we are looking for many types of violations in an attempt to educate the public … [Read more...]

Last week I picked up my new 2017 Ford Interceptor AWD squad car.  Some of the features are listed below. Mine is a class B, which it means there is not a light bar on the roof. The State Patrol currently has approximately 650 marked squads, of which 60% have light bars. Features include: • 3.7L VVT V6 engine with 305HP • 6-speed transmission • 18-inch steel rims with … [Read more...]

Question: I am planning an ice fishing trip to the great State of Minnesota and I live in Iowa, is there a limit on how much alcohol I can bring from Iowa into Minnesota? Answer: There is a limit on how much alcohol you can bring into Minnesota from a different state for personal use.  You can bring 288 ounces of beer or wine or one litter of intoxicating liquor per person.  … [Read more...]

Question: Last summer at a stoplight, my car was vibrating from the bass boom of the car next to me. I looked over and saw, what I assume was a person driving — but could see only the outline of his pulled up hoodie. As we drove away, I thought there is no way he is going to be able to hear or see an ambulance or fire truck coming into the intersection on an emergency. While we … [Read more...]

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...]