Ask A Trooper: What do you recommend I have in my car for winter survival? – .

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… Continue reading Ask A Trooper: What do you recommend I have in my car for winter survival? – .

Ask A Trooper: What do I need to be ready for winter travel? – .

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… Continue reading Ask A Trooper: What do I need to be ready for winter travel? – .

Ask A Trooper: Does the Minnesota State Patrol have K-9s? – .

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 functions such… Continue reading Ask A Trooper: Does the Minnesota State Patrol have K-9s? – .

Ask A Trooper: Why are Minnesota State Patrol cars maroon colored? – .

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… Continue reading Ask A Trooper: Why are Minnesota State Patrol cars maroon colored? – .

Ask A Trooper: I just hit a deer, what do I do? – .

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 for killing a deer? Is it legal to take the deer home? Answer: If you are involved in a vehicle vs. deer/large animal crash,… Continue reading Ask A Trooper: I just hit a deer, what do I do? – .

Ask A Trooper: What’s the difference between ‘careless’ and ‘reckless’ driving? – .

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 injure or kill someone. Here’s more detail on how they differ: Reckless driving – This involves… Continue reading Ask A Trooper: What’s the difference between ‘careless’ and ‘reckless’ driving? – .

Police Ask For Your Help In Finding Missing Grand Forks Man

GRAND FORKS, ND (trfnews.i234.me) Police are asking for your help in finding a missing Grand Forks man. – Grand Forks police are looking for a missing man named Anthony Valdez. – Valdez is 26 years old and was last seen on February 6 in the downtown area by Level 10. – He was wearing a… Continue reading Police Ask For Your Help In Finding Missing Grand Forks Man

Ask A Trooper: What is the ‘Ted Foss law’ in Minnesota? – .

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… Continue reading Ask A Trooper: What is the ‘Ted Foss law’ in Minnesota? – .

Ask A Trooper: Who should I report bad driving to? – .

Question: I noticed another vehicle that was not driving very safe 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… Continue reading Ask A Trooper: Who should I report bad driving to? – .

Ask A Minnesota State Trooper: What are the rules for using the HOV lanes in the Twin Cities? – .

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… Continue reading Ask A Minnesota State Trooper: What are the rules for using the HOV lanes in the Twin Cities? – .