Minnesota State Patrol troopers help achieve our mission by proactively enforcing traffic laws to prevent deaths, injuries, property damage and life-changing events.
Enforcing speed limits, seat belt use, preventing distracted driving and arresting impaired drivers are our best tools to prevent crashes on Minnesota roadways.
Below are our ongoing efforts in traffic enforcement to change driving behaviors to make Minnesota's roads safer.
Traffic Stop Citations and Warnings
Arrests
As a result of traffic enforcement efforts above, troopers have made the additional arrests listed below.
Commercial Vehicles
The State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Section comprises civilian commercial vehicle inspectors and state troopers working in cooperation to conduct commercial vehicle safety inspections and weighing at highway weigh stations and roadside locations throughout the state. Under the Commercial Vehicle Section, the Office of Pupil Transportation Safety performs periodic and random inspections of school buses operated in Minnesota. Commercial Vehicle Section staff also facilitate training and outreach programs to inform drivers and carriers of rules and regulations, including certifying technicians and mechanics to perform annual inspections under the state's Mandatory Inspection Program.
There are five levels of commercial vehicle inspections. Personnel use discretion when deciding what level of inspection to complete on a commercial vehicle. Discretion may include the safety of the location where the commercial vehicle is stopped, weather and the focus of the work.
- Level I is a 37-step inspection procedure that involves examination of the motor carrier's and driver's credentials, hours of service records, the mechanical condition of the vehicle and any hazardous materials/dangerous goods that may be present. This is the most comprehensive and time consuming inspection.
- Level II is a driver and walk-around vehicle inspection involving items that can be checked without physically getting under the vehicle.
- Level III is a driver-only inspection that includes examination of the driver's credentials, hours of service records, and registration and shipping documents. This inspection is generally during with a traffic enforcement stop.
- Level IV inspection is completed on covered farm vehicles that receive exemptions from certain regulations.
- Level V is a vehicle-only inspection that may be performed without a driver present at any location.
The State Patrol is also tasked with inspecting every school bus that transports students on an annual basis, and vehicles that are used to transport persons in wheelchairs or other mobility aids. These normally include vehicles for public transit, residential care facilitates or taxi services.
K-9 Activity
Our K-9s are responsible for sniffing out illegal drugs destined for Minnesota communities. All Minnesota State Patrol K-9 teams regularly respond to requests for assistance from partner law enforcement agencies.
Requests range from assisting other troopers on traffic stops, to assisting local law enforcement where drugs are believed to be hidden inside houses, vehicles or other structures.
