Question: Last summer at a stoplight, my car was vibrating from the bass boom of the car next to me. I looked over and saw, what I assume was a person driving—but could see only the outline of his pulled up hoodie. As we drove away, I thought there is no way he is going to be able to hear or see an ambulance or fire truck coming into the intersection on an emergency. While we know driving with extremely loud music and having a driver’s peripheral vision blocked isn’t wise—is it illegal and is it enforced?
Answer: There is no state law that prohibits how loud music can be inside of a vehicle, but it could be a violation of a city or county ordinance.
Regarding the hoodie that is potentially blocking their vision, there is no law that directly covers this as well. There are laws that cover suspended objects from the rearview mirror and cracked or tinted windshields as they are considered vision obstructions.
It is very important for the driver to be aware and alert to everything that is going on around him. Listening to very loud music while driving can block out an emergency vehicle’s siren or another vehicle’s horn, and it could cause a crash or reduce the response time for an emergency vehicle. Emergency vehicles are equipped with lights and sirens to warn others when responding to an emergency. Being able to hear a siren and see emergency lights will enable the driver to safety pull over and yield for approaching emergency vehicles.
Please turn down music so you are able to hear any potential hazards and make sure you and your vehicle are free from anything that will block your view. It will help reduce your chances of being involved in a crash.
Question: I have a short box pick-up. A friend wanted me to carry 2-12 foot aluminum boats he had purchased. Being as they would have extended far past my 7 feet or less truck bed, I declined thinking it was too long to be legal. Was I correct? What is the length limit for loads off the rear of a pick-up?
Answer: In your situation where you have two 12-foot aluminum boats in the box of a 7-foot pickup, you would be legal if you attached a yellow, red or orange flag during daytime hours and red lights during reduced visibility or nighttime hours.
According to Minnesota state law, no single vehicle may exceed 45 feet in overall length, including load, and front and rear bumpers. There is an exception for mobile cranes, which may not exceed 48 feet in overall length. If the items extend to the rear 4 feet or more beyond the bed or body of the vehicle, a red, yellow or orange flag or cloth not less than 16 inches square is required in daylight hours. During nighttime hours or reduced visibility, projecting cargo needs a lighted red lamp(s), in addition to the vehicle’s rear lights.
Anything that is sticking over the left side of the vehicle beyond the line of the fender, and anything more than six inches beyond the line of the fenders on the right side is illegal in Minnesota.
Remember that no vehicle shall be driven or moved on any highway unless its load is secure. Please make sure that whatever you are hauling is tied or strapped down so it will not shift over the sides or rear of the vehicle within the legal limits or fall onto the road.
Question: I do a lot of local driving for work, and every day I see an abundance of vehicles that roll through stops. This happens most frequently in a “right on red” situation. I have seen many near misses by vehicles rolling through a “right on red.” I was just wondering what our state law requires of us to do at stop signs/red lights.
Answer: According to the Minnesota driver’s manual, when approaching a red light (solid or flashing) or a stop sign, motorists must come to a complete stop prior to nearest of reaching a marked limit line, entering the crosswalk at the near side of the intersection, or entering the intersection itself.
When making a right turn on a red light, Minnesota law allows motorists to make a right turn after a complete stop at a red light, unless there’s a sign indicating the turn is prohibited. Drivers must use caution and follow right of way rules.
When making a left turn on a red light, a motorist can make a left turn after stopping at a red light only from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
Motorcyclists and bicyclists can proceed through a red light, with caution, if:
.They made a complete stop.The signal continued to show red for an “unreasonable time.”
.The signal apparently malfunctioned or failed to detect the bicycle or motorcycle.
.No vehicle or pedestrian was approaching or close enough so as to make going through the red signal dangerous.
.Failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or a red light can result in a fine of $300 or more.
A portion of state statutes was used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Sgt. Neil Dickenson—Minnesota State Patrol at 1131 Mesaba Ave, Duluth, MN 55811. (You can follow me on Twitter @MSPPIO_NE or reach me at neil.dickenson@state.mn.us).
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