Sgt. Troy Christianson
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJune 11, 2025Question: I read your last article about road construction and work zones. Can you talk about the zipper merge? It seems like a lot of people don’t know what it is or can’t figure it out. Thank you. Answer: The “Late Merge - Zipper Merge” is a driving strategy that requires drivers to change their mindset about merging. Traditionally, drivers have been taught to merge early when a lane is ending…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolApril 02, 2025Question: I’m wondering about a light that seems to only be on at night on the traffic lights. It’s a small purple or blueish light that’s near the traffic lights. I’ve tried to figure out what its use is or if it’s a camera. I’ve asked other people what it means, and I’ve never met anyone who knows what it is. Thank you! Answer: What you are talking about is a blue light, and they are visible…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJanuary 29, 2025With the holidays upon us, I wanted to share a message about distracted driving. Here is some information we recently shared on our Department of Public Safety blog. “It was supposed to be a routine trip for 20-year-old Megan Severson. On Oct. 17, 2019, Severson was driving from Preston in southeastern Minnesota to visit her boyfriend in North Dakota. But when she reached Highway 52 in St. Paul…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 11, 2024Question: Every once in a while, I notice some vehicles stop in the road at the railroad tracks when nothing is coming. Can I pass them when they do this? Answer: Some vehicles, such as passenger vans, buses, and larger trucks, are required to stop at all railroad tracks, whether or not a train is present. Do not pass these vehicles. It is illegal to pass any vehicle within 100 feet of a…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolNovember 26, 2024Question: My vehicle is equipped with airbags. Do I need to wear my seat belt? Answer: Yes, seat belt use is required. An airbag is a supplemental restraint system. Airbags work with seat belts to prevent injuries but are not designed to keep occupants from being ejected. For safety reasons, children under age 13 must ride in the back seat if it is available. Try to keep at least 10 inches…- By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolNovember 20, 2024Question: I can’t help but notice that it seems like a lot of people are following each other too close out on the highways. It’s been many years since I was in driver’s education but what is the recommendation for following distance? Answer: Here is information that is shared in the Minnesota Driver’s Manual. Applying the "Three-Second Rule" helps you keep a safe distance between your car and…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolNovember 06, 2024Question: I have a medical condition that causes me to lose consciousness on occasion. I am hoping to get a driver’s license. Is there anything I need to do? Answer: When applying for an instruction permit or driver’s license, you will be asked questions about medical conditions. Providing false information on the application could result in losing your driving privileges. If you have a medical…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolAugust 21, 2024Question: Since I've moved to Minnesota, I've seen many drivers use right turn lanes as a bypass lane. Is this legal or does the sign reading "lane must turn" mean exactly what it says? Answer: White signs are regulatory and failing to comply can result in a citation for “fail to obey traffic control sign/signal.” “Right Turn Lanes” are what they are posted for, not passing or bypassing. The “…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolFebruary 14, 2024Question: Hello, I thought I read somewhere that rest areas help reduce crashes. I saw a trooper at a rest area the other day, and it got me thinking about that. Can you write about that? Answer: More than 20 million travelers stop at Minnesota rest areas annually. Rest areas serve as an essential safety feature on the highway system by giving travelers a place to stop and rest. This helps…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolJanuary 24, 2024Question: I heard you on the radio the other day. You were talking about new, young drivers having some restrictions on their driver’s license. You mentioned something about a parent being able to take their license away. Could you explain more about that? Answer: I was talking about graduated driver license (GDLs) laws, which support a three-stage driver licensing system to phase in young…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 27, 2023Question: 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 need, Minnesota offers several rest areas throughout our great state. According…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolDecember 20, 2023Question: My question is why electric cars and trucks do not have front license plates? These are all from Minnesota which is required by law. They are not from out of state. Answer: Electric vehicles are required to have a front license plate in Minnesota, this is a common equipment violation. Minnesota State Statute (M.S.S.) 169.79 states: “No person shall operate, drive or park a motor…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State PatrolNovember 08, 2023Question: 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 injure or kill someone. Here’s more detail on how they differ: Reckless driving - This involves a motorist who’s aware of…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolDecember 13, 2022Question: Last week I noticed a truck with a snowplow blade on it. It took up the whole traffic lane. It was not a Minnesota Department of Transportation truck. What is the legal length allowed for a snow blade? Answer: The maximum legal width is 8 feet, 6 inches in Minnesota. Snowplows start at widths of 6 ½ feet for smaller pickups and go up to 9- and 10-foot-wide plows for dump trucks. The…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolNovember 08, 2022Question: I was wondering what the state guidelines are regarding smoked or tinted headlights. Are they legal? Answer: Minnesota law does not allow for this. It is illegal to equip or operate a motor vehicle with any equipment or material that covers a headlamp, tail lamp, or reflector. I’d also like to remind drivers about when headlights and taillights need to be on. Minnesota law says that…
By Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota Highway PatrolNovember 02, 2021Question: 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 device must not emit…
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