Troy Christianson
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJune 06, 2023Question: If you are 15 years old and have a farm permit to drive a farm truck, how late at night can you drive? Answer: A Minnesota Farm Work license allows a 15-year-old to drive alone only to perform farm work for his or her parent during daylight hours, within 20 miles of the farmhouse, and in cities with populations of less than 100,000. The parent must complete a Farm Work License affidavit…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMay 02, 2023Question: My husband always used to say “never use your cruise control during any rain.” Is that still true with advances on tires and technology? Answer: He is correct. Cruise control should never be used on wet or icy roadways. If your wheels lose traction, the cruise control will continue to accelerate, causing the vehicle to skid. By the time you realize you are skidding, it could be too…
- By Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolApril 11, 2023Question: Are smoked tail lights illegal in Minnesota? Answer: Minnesota law states that “tail lamps shall be plainly visible from a distance of 100 feet to the rear during normal sunlight and at night.” The same goes for turn signals and headlights. Smoking, tinting, covering or placing any material over tail lights, brake lights, headlights or turn signals would be illegal and unsafe as they…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 31, 2023Question: I was wondering if you are stopped at a stoplight in the left turn lane and an emergency vehicle with lights and sirens comes in behind you (either in the turn lane or the lane to your right), what is the proper procedure? Thank you! Answer: When it comes to encountering emergency vehicles while stopped at a stoplight and the only place to move is the actual intersection, it is best to…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJanuary 03, 2023Question: How do you determine if your tires are unsafe for winter driving? Answer: 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 out of control on a slippery or wet road surface. It is important to remember that unsafe tires can hydroplane on both wet and snow covered…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolDecember 05, 2022Question: How do you determine if your tires are unsafe for winter driving? Answer: 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 out of control on a slippery or wet road surface. It is important to remember that unsafe tires can hydroplane on both wet and snow covered…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolSeptember 27, 2022Question: Is it legal for farmers to load hay on a state highway? Our neighbor bales several miles of state highway ditches. To load the round bales, he drives down the highway with a pickup and bale wagon. His son is in the ditch with a tractor and loader. The son gets a bale on the loader and driving perpendicular to the road drives up the ditch and puts the bale on the bale wagon. The son with…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolJuly 19, 2022Question: If involved in a minor auto accident with another driver, what steps should be taken at the scene by both parties? Answer: Crashes happen every day in Minnesota. Crashes are one of the State Patrol’s primary duties. It’s important to know what to do immediately after a crash happens. The first and most important thing to do after you’ve been involved in a crash is to get to a safe place…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolApril 12, 2022Question: I saw your recent article about flooded roads. Do you have any advice on what a person should do if their vehicle plunges into the water? Answer: The dynamics of such an incident are ever-changing, so there is no one answer that will cover it all. Having witnessed and responded to these types of situations, here is what I would recommend. Most vehicles will float on the water’s surface…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMarch 29, 2022Question: With spring being here and the melting snow, can you talk about what a person should do when coming across water on roads? Answer: Flooding can occur when streams and rivers flow over their banks, when dams or levees break, when there is run-off from deep snow, or any time there is heavy rainfall. Floodwaters can be found on roads, bridges and low areas. Flash floods can come rapidly…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolMarch 15, 2022Question: I am a new parent and I am not sure if I am doing this child car seat thing properly. Is there somewhere I can go to find out if I am doing it right? Thank you. Answer: Congratulations on parenthood! I know the feeling and there will only be more questions as time goes on. For child passenger safety, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety has a map that you…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolFebruary 15, 2022Question: It’s so cold in the winter, I am thinking about getting one of those fuzzy steering wheel covers. I think they will help keep my hands warm while driving. But my question is, are they legal? Answer: Steering wheel covers are legal. A quick reminder though – it’s always the driver’s responsibility to keep control of the vehicle at all times, even if the steering wheel cover becomes loose…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolFebruary 01, 2022We all know the dangers of driving with snow and ice on the roads, but driving with snow and ice on your vehicle is also a hazard. Always take time to remove all snow and ice from your vehicle before traveling. This is for your safety and the safety of other drivers. Snow and ice left on your hood, roof and trunk can shift and blow off – blinding you or the driver behind you. Limited visibility…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolNovember 23, 2021Question: How do you determine if your tires are unsafe for winter driving? Answer: 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 out of control on a slippery or wet road surface. It is important to remember that unsafe tires can hydroplane on both wet and snow-covered…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolNovember 09, 2021Question: I've often wondered why Troopers wear their badges on their pocket flaps and not their chests like other law enforcement officers. Can you tell me the story behind that? Answer: Each individual agency and department will have different rules and regulations as to how the badge is to be worn, although badge placement isn’t random and has some historical significance. Law enforcement…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolAugust 31, 2021“Let's have one last celebration before summer ends! What shall we do?" “Great idea! Let's spend thousands of dollars in legal fees! Or … spending months in the hospital might be fun. Or how about dying in a car crash?" If all of that sounds like a ridiculous way to spend Labor Day weekend, we agree. And yet that's what can happen if you don't find a sober ride, as a…
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