Question: I saw a guy in a Chevrolet Suburban towing a guy on a motorcycle using a tow strap going down the street in town. It crossed my mind, is that legally ok to do that for a long distance? Answer: Minnesota statute says: When one vehicle is towing another the drawbar or other connection must be of sufficient stre...

Question: I want to make sure my child is safe in the car, but I've heard that some car seats sold online are fake or don't meet U.S. safety standards. How can I tell if a car seat is unsafe? Answer: Good question. I reached out to the expert who is the Community Programs and Occupant Protection Manager for the Minneso...

Question: At a 4-way stop, when 2 cars stop at exactly the same time, which one has the right of way? Is it the car on your left? It seems like no one knows what to do these days and everyone just sits there. Answer: That is a good question for a good topic. Right-of-way and yielding laws help traffic flow smoothly and...

Question: Can I get some clarification on stop signs? I always wonder where to stop. Is it at the stop sign or at the stop line I sometimes see on the road? Thank you. Answer: This is a good question that I do get fairly often. Here is what you need to know and do when it comes to stopping. Stop signs: Come to a comple...

Question: I feel like I see so many vehicles tailgating and following too close. I remember people talking about a so-many second following tip. Can you remind me and others what that is? Answer: Applying the "Three-Second Rule" helps you keep a safe distance between your car and the vehicle ahead of you. Thi...

Question: In your last article you wrote about "pavement markings." Could you talk about "turn lanes" as I think there are quite a few people who get confused by this? Answer: Turn lanes near intersections separate left-turning or right-turning traffic from through traffic. White arrows, sometimes a...

Question: Can you explain what the lines on the highways and streets indicate? I feel like a lot of people can't figure it out. Thanks. Answer: I sure can. Pavement markings direct and regulate traffic. White lines separate lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction. White dashes: You can change lanes where this ...

Question: I seem to encounter a fair amount of emergency vehicles running in emergency mode (lights and sirens). I also can't help but notice how many people don't pull over and yield to them. Can you bring some attention to this? Answer: Great topic for conversation. When an emergency vehicle (such as an ambulance, fi...

Question: My grandkids get to be on their school's "School Patrol." I am so happy they get to help but can you talk about this? I want people to be aware to help keep them and everyone safe. Thank you for all you do. Answer: Congratulations to your grandchildren! You should be proud as it is quite an honor to...

Question: I know the distracted driving law has been around for a while now, but can you please talk about it some more? Answer: Driver distraction or inattention is a leading factor in crashes in Minnesota, accounting for at least 25 percent of all crashes annually. Distracted drivers fail to recognize potential hazar...

Question: My husband and I are wondering if it is true that emergency vehicles can change a light from red to green, if they need to proceed through an intersection. Is this true, or is it just a myth that people now believe to be true? Also, if this is true, how is the light triggered? Is it triggered by the flashing ...

Question: If a person misses their freeway exit, can they use the crossover to make a u-turn? Answer: If you miss your exit, proceed to the next one. Do not back up or make a U-turn to return to the desired exit. It is helpful to know where you need to exit the freeway before you begin driving. Watch for signs that pro...

Question: I have a new driver in the house and they asked a question that got me thinking. If someone has a crash and hits a power pole, what should they do in that situation? Answer: If your car comes into contact with a utility pole, wire or power box, you should: Stay in your vehicle and call 911. Only get out of t...

Question: I see a lot of motorists pulling campers and trailers that don't have experience or simply don't know what they are doing. I see some crashes that I suspect are due to this. Can you talk about pulling campers and trailers? Answer: If you pull a camper or trailer with your vehicle, you must maintain at least 5...

Question: I was driving in the metro area the other day and I witnessed a bus driving on the shoulder. Is this allowed? Answer: Transit buses and metro mobility buses are permitted to use the shoulder of a freeway or expressway. Buses can use the shoulder only when main-line traffic speeds are less than 35 miles per ho...

Question: Somebody was trying to tell me the other day that it's ok to throw out their fruit peels along the highway as they break down fairly quickly and it shouldn't be an issue. I disagreed and told them garbage is garbage. I asked if they would want someone to throw that stuff in their yard. What does the law say? ...

Question: I heard some talk about a new law of July 1st that allows motorcycles to drive through traffic. Can you explain this as a lot of my friends are talking but I can't get the same answer from any of them. Answer: Motorcycle lane splitting and filtering are legal on Minnesota roads as of July 1. The new law, pass...

Question: Can you write about airbags? I know you just wrote an article about it being best for kids to ride in the back seat. I know airbags are an issue for kids in the front seat so I thought this would be a good topic. Thank you. Answer: An airbag is a supplemental restraint system. Airbags work with seat belts to ...

Question: I heard something about kids needing to ride in the back seat if possible. What is the age on that? Answer: Back on August 1, 2024 there were new car seat guidelines put in place along with this. The back seat is the safest place in most vehicles. Children under 13 must ride in the back if it is available. Ch...

Question: I was just talking with someone the other day and they mentioned there is an age requirement for operating an "e-bike." Can you get me more information on this? Answer: When it comes to E-bikes, a driver's license or permit is not required. However, the minimum operator age is 15 years old. E-bikes ...