Ask a Trooper by Troy Christianson

Troy Christianson is a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol.

Traffic quiz:

1. It is legal to operate a motor vehicle without a license plate light. True  or  false?

2. The use of headphones while driving a motor vehicle is legal as long as the driver has one ear uncovered. True  or  false?

3. The maximum bumper height for a private passenger vehicle or station wagon is 20 inches. True  or false?

4. It is legal to drive a pickup with the tailgate down, even if it is empty.  True  or  false?

5. An unattended vehicle obstructing traffic may be removed by a police officer. True  or false?

6. Animals either ridden or herded are considered traffic while using the roadway for purposes of travel. True or false?

7. A Minnesota resident can receive a speeding ticket from another state jurisdiction, not pay the fine and have his/her license in Minnesota suspended until such fines are paid.                            True or false?

8. A bottom-dump cargo vehicle transporting gravel must be equipped with wheel flaps that cover the entire width of the vehicle, and have a ground clearance of six inches or less when fully loaded. True or false?

9. A law enforcement agency can mandate the number of citations they want their officers to write monthly? True or false?

10. You can loan your car to someone, even though you know their license is suspended. True or false?

Answer key: 1:F  2:T 3:T 4:F 5:T 6:T 7:T 8:T 9:F 10:F

You can avoid a ticket — and a crash — if you simply buckle up, drive at safe speeds, pay attention and always drive sober. Help us drive Minnesota toward zero deaths.

If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Troy Christianson, Minnesota State Patrol, at 2900 48th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901-5848; or reach him at,Troy.Christianson@state.mn.us.