Traffic tips

Traffic tip: Motorcycle instruction permits

Thinking about buying a motorcycle? Remember, you must have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license in order to legally operate a motorcycle.

The first step in earning that endorsement is to obtain a motorcycle instruction permit, available by passing a written exam at any department of motor vehicle licensing location. Motorcycle instruction permits are valid for one year from the date of issue, during which time certain restrictions are placed on the permit holder for operating their motorcycle:

  • Cannot carry any passengers on the streets and/or highways.
  • Cannot drive at night.
  • Cannot drive on any highway marked as an interstate highway.
  • Cannot drive without wearing a protective helmet.

Instruction permits offer the new motorcyclist numerous opportunities to operate and practice under real-life traffic situations. However, keep in mind that until the actual motorcycle endorsement is earned, the above driving situations must be avoided.

Traffic tip: Rules for skateboards and motorized scooters

It’s spring time, and everyone wants to be outside! If you have a skateboard or a motorized scooter, please remember the following rules.

  • Skateboards and motorized scooters cannot be operated on a sidewalk except when necessary to enter a property from the roadway.
  • Skateboards and motorized scooters should stay to the right hand side of the roadway unless making a left turn or overtaking objects such as pedestrians, animals, road hazards, etc.
  • Motorized foot scooters may operate on bicycle paths, lanes, trails and bikeways.
  • Minimum age for motorized scooter and skateboard operators is 12 years old, and protective headgear is required for anyone under age 18. Passengers are prohibited no matter the age.
  • When using a skateboard or motorized scooter, it’s important to remember that the motor vehicles sharing the road with you are much bigger and can’t always see you, so use caution at all times.

Bottom line is, skateboard and motorized scooter operators share the same rights and obligations as bicyclists and are required to follow the same basic traffic rules as motor vehicles. Keeping your travels safe, no matter what the mode, makes an enjoyable ride for us all!

Traffic tip: Warming up your vehicle? Be careful!

Did you know that Minnetonka has an ordinance against leaving vehicles running unattended? Minnetonka City Ordinance 930.070 states that a person must stop the engine and remove all ignition keys from the vehicle before leaving a motor vehicle unattended on a street, used car lot or unattended parking lot.

When police officers find a motor vehicle in violation of this ordinance, the officer may:

  • Remove the keys from the ignition, then place the keys so they are not visible from the outside and lock the vehicle; or
  • Lock the keys in the trunk; or
  • Remove the keys from the vehicle and deliver them to the police department, where the driver may collect them.

These steps all have one goal: to prevent your vehicle from being stolen while the engine is running and keys are in the ignition. This ordinance does not apply to vehicles with remote starters, which allow the vehicle’s engine to run while the ignition remains locked.

Understanding HOV lanes

The high occupancy vehicle lanes along I-394 from Wayzata to downtown Minneapolis were originally designed to improve the operating efficiency of Minnesota’s roadways by reserving a lane strictly for carpoolers and buses containing more than one occupant.

To increase the lane use and improve traffic efficiency, legislation was passed in 2003 allowing single-occupant vehicles to use this lane by paying a user fee. With this new legislation came the creation of MnPass, a project that is not only the first of its kind in Minnesota, but a new and significant change in highway management. MnPass is an electronic toll collection system that allows drivers to lease a small electronic transponder that attaches to the vehicle windshield behind the rearview mirror. The toll is then automatically deducted from the user’s pre-paid MnPass account by toll recording equipment located on the roadways.

Fees may vary in amount by the time of day and the level of traffic congestion. Carpoolers and buses still have free access and priority use of the lanes, but drivers of single-occupant vehicles may now choose to use these lanes on an as-needed basis by paying a fee. The MnPass system was designed to improve operating efficiency in the I-394 corridor and effectively manage the express lanes using the latest technology.

For more information and the latest updates, visit www.mnpass.net.

Stop before turning right on red

In order to make a legal right turn at an intersection controlled by a traffic light, and when the traffic light is red, the driver of a vehicle must bring the vehicle to a complete stop before entering the intersection. While executing the turn, the driver must yield to all pedestrians and other traffic.

Keep your ears clear while driving

Minnesota law regarding the use of headphones while driving is very simple: you may not wear headphones or earphones in both ears while operating a motor vehicle.

Wearing headphones to listen to music or other programming makes it difficult for you to hear what is going on around you—for example, you may not hear the horn of another driving warning that you are drifting into another lane, or you may not hear the siren of an emergency vehicle.

This law does not prohibit drivers from using ear pieces for cell phones or hearing aids.

Don’t Veer for Deer

While encounters with deer are a year-round hazard on Minnesota’s roads, the danger peaks in early to mid-November when herds are most active. Drivers can improve their safety by following these suggestions from the Minnesota Departments of Natural Resources, Public Safety and Transportation:

  • As soon as you see a deer, slow down and prepare to stop. It’s much safer to stop than to attempt evasive action
  • Where you see one deer, there may be more—deer often travel in small groups.
  • Most deer-vehicle crashes occur at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active.
  • Deer eyes may reflect in headlights—be alert for that.
  • Scan roadsides. Deer frequently feed in the roadways and may not be noticed by drivers who are constantly looking straight ahead.
  • Remember that it’s safer to hit a deer than to swerve into oncoming traffic or to the side of the road and risk hitting another vehicle or roadside object. Apply brakes firmly, hold onto the steering wheel and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.
  • If you hit a deer, call 9-1-1; law enforcement officers will assist with injuries and write a report to provide to your insurance company.
  • It’s illegal to take a deer without a permit; people who hit a deer or find a deer carcass must obtain a permit to tag the deer before it can be legally transported; all law enforcement officers can issue such a permit.
  • Drive at speeds that are safe for road and weather conditions. Remember that the posted speed limit is the speed limit.
  • Use seatbelts to reduce the possibility of death or injury, and avoid being ejected from the vehicle in case of a crash.

Provisional drivers and cell phones

Provisional license holders, typically those who have reached the age of 16 but are under the age of 18, are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle while using a cell phone. This includes cell phones with hands-free devices, as well as using a cell phone for text messaging. Provisional license violations may include a fine and may lead to the loss of the license until the holder turns 18.

The only exception to this rule is use of a cell phone during emergency situations or for the purpose of reporting a crime, such as reporting a possible impaired driver, reporting a crime in progress, or when the safety of the driver or another is in immediate jeopardy.

Driving around construction zone barricades

During road construction season, it’s important to remember that it is illegal to drive around or through areas that are specifically barricaded for the construction project. Minnesota law states that it is illegal to drive over, through, or around any barricade, fence, or obstruction erected for the purpose of preventing traffic from passing over a portion of a highway closed to public travel or to remove, deface, or damage any such barricade, fence or obstruction. Any violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

So, use patience when driving in the area of any construction project and obey all marked lane or road closures. Keep in mind that fines are increased in any construction zone.

Keep your windshield clear!

Fuzzy dice, air fresheners, and stuffed animals may dress up the inside of your vehicle, but did you know that in Minnesota it is illegal to operate a vehicle with objects of any kind hanging from the rear view mirror?

According to Minnesota statute, any object suspended between the driver and the windshield is illegal. The only exceptions are sun visors, rear view mirrors and toll collection devices. In addition, it’s illegal to operate a vehicle with a cracked or discolored windshield, if it limits or obstructs proper vision.

With frosty days upon us, remember that operating a vehicle with a frost-covered windshield is also illegal. Motorists in a hurry often scrape the snow and ice from only a small portion of the windshield and use this “porthole” to drive. This practice is not only dangerous, but may also earn you a traffic citation.

Remember, the most important function of your windshield is to allow you to navigate safely, so find another place for the fuzzy dice, fix your windshield if it’s cracked or discolored, and during the winter months, always keep an ice scraper in your car!

Avoid theft from your vehicle

The Minnetonka Police Department reminds residents to follow these tips to help avoid theft from your vehicle, wherever you park:

  • Remove items, especially valuables, from the passenger compartment of your vehicle.
  • Be aware of suspicious or unusual activity.
  • Report suspicious behavior immediately by calling 9-1-1.

Yield for pedestrians!

Remember, according to state statute, where traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation, vehicles must stop for pedestrians crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk. The driver must remain stopped until the pedestrian has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped. There are rules for pedestrians too—by the same state statute, no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.