Sgt. Jesse Grabow
Question: Hello, I live in “cabin country” and it never fails, during the summer months with the influx of traffic, there are always arguments regarding traffic “laws” or “it’s just being Minnesota nice”.
There’s been several near misses and I can see both sides of the argument and wondering if you can help clear up an ongoing discussion.
At a single-lane intersection, the roadway is physically wide enough to accommodate street parking, meaning a vehicle can easily fit to the right of a stopped car. However, right at the intersection and approximately one car length from corner, the curb is painted solid yellow with no additional signage.
If a vehicle is yielding to turn left at this intersection, can the vehicles behind them legally drive through that wide, yellow-curbed area to pass them on the right to go straight through the intersection?
Or must they wait behind the turning vehicles until all left-turning traffic clears the intersection? (There is no green arrow light, only solid green) Thank you so much for your help!
Answer: In that situation they should not be passing on the right. Traffic from the opposite direction could be turning and that would be dangerous. In no event shall such movement be made by driving in a bicycle lane or onto the shoulder, whether paved or unpaved, or off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway. A motorist would need to wait until the vehicle in front of them has proceeded through the intersection and it is clear.
A portion of state statutes were 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 Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. (You can follow him on “X” @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at, jesse.grabow@state.mn.us).
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