ASK A TROOPER: "Rest Area Options"
Question: I do a lot of over-the-road traveling for work. Can I stop and stretch my legs along the freeway? Answer: Do not stop on the interstate or along the roadway. The only time you can stop on the freeway is for emergencies. Use the freeway exits/off-ramps and pull off onto the shoulder and park. If you are in nee...
Dec 11, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Holiday DWI Talk"
Question: I hear that DWI's can become more of an issue around the winter holidays. Can you talk about that? Thank you for all you do. Answer: Minnesota Law Enforcement is participating in a statewide campaign that includes extra DWI enforcement that started the day before Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. Over the ...
Dec 05, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Winter Travel Kit Needs"
Question: I read your recent article about winter travel safety. I also heard you were a Boy Scout, which would apply to this also. Can you talk more in depth about what a person should have in their vehicle? Answer: Great topic to expand on. Yes, I serve as the scoutmaster for my sons' Boy Scout troop. The Boy Scouts'...
Nov 28, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "20 Years of TZD"
Question: I just saw something about a Minnesota traffic safety program that's been around for 20 years. Can you talk more about that? Answer: Yes, here is some information we shared on our DPS blog: "Minnesota has seen a 32 percent reduction in traffic fatalities between 2003 and 2022, in part due to the Toward Z...
Nov 21, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Winter Ready"
Question: The first snowstorm of the season seemed to catch a lot of us by surprise. Can you talk about what to do to be ready for winter travel? Thank you and be safe. Answer: You are correct and it comes down to being prepared. While summer months are the deadliest on Minnesota roads, wintertime leads to the most cra...
Nov 14, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: 'K9s'
Question: Does the Minnesota State Patrol have K9s? In what purpose do they serve? Answer: The Minnesota State Patrol K-9 unit is currently staffed with 15 K-9 teams trained to detect the odor of narcotics, and one team trained to detect explosives. The State Patrol's dogs are not trained in other typical police functi...
Nov 07, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "History of the Maroon and Gold"
Question: What is the deal with the Minnesota State Patrol and the maroon colored squad cars? I've traveled all over the United States and don't know if I've ever seen this color used before. Is there a reason for this? Answer: Good observation and yes, there is a reason deep within the history of the Minnesota State P...
Oct 31, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Careless or Reckless"
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 injur...
Oct 24, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Vehicle vs. Deer Crash"
Question: I noticed several freshly killed deer on the side of the highway yesterday. What are the traffic related requirements when someone collides with a deer, and what are the game related requirements with killing a deer? Is it legal to take the deer home? Answer: If you are involved in a vehicle vs. deer/large an...
Oct 17, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Right Turn On Red"
Question: I have had a few conversations with others about turning right on red. Can you tell me what the rules are in Minnesota? It's frightening to see the chances some drivers are taking. Answer: A steady red light means stop and wait for the light to change. Come to a complete stop at the stop line before the cross...
Oct 10, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Who To Call"
Question: I noticed another vehicle that was not driving very safely the other day and saw that it had a "How's My Driving? Call 1-800..." Should I have called that number or what else should I have done? Answer: Every circumstance or situation is different. But here is my advice on when to report something t...
Oct 03, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Seated on a School Bus"
Question: I know it's discouraged, but is it actually illegal for students to stand 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 ...
Sep 26, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Motorcycle Eye Protection"
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 equipp...
Sep 19, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "HOV Lane Question"
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 mini...
Sep 12, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: 'Ted Foss Law'
Question: What is the Ted Foss law in Minnesota? Answer: The law got its name from a tragedy. Minnesota's "Ted Foss Move Over Law" was named in honor of the State Patrol Trooper who was killed while on a traffic stop on the shoulder of I-90 near the Lewiston exit on August 31, 2000. He left behind his wife, A...
Sep 02, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Fender Flares"
Question: I was recently issued a citation and it states "tires extending beyond fenders" - I have a clarification question on the statute listed, 169.734 It states, "Every passenger automobile shall have fenders, or other devices, that are designed to prevent, as far as practicable, water, dirt, or othe...
Aug 28, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Exhaust Question"
Question: I work for a street department and we had a question come up on the safety committee about how far away an exhaust pipe has to be from a window. We have some trucks that have a hot box on the back that we use in the winter to keep the asphalt warm and we are trying to clarify how far away the exhaust port nee...
Aug 22, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Driver's License Question"
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 li...
Aug 22, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Vehicle Check"
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. ...
Aug 07, 2023
ASK A TROOPER: "Safety Recall Info"
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 t...
Jul 25, 2023