Did you know that every motor vehicle needs to be equipped with a muffler that is in good working order as to blend the exhaust noise into the overall vehicle noise? You can’t use a muffler cut out, bypass or similar device, and your exhaust system cannot produce sharp popping or cracking sounds. Did you know that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has rules that also govern vehicle noise and traffic code honors them?

Did you know you can get a citation for driving too slow? If you are blocking or impeding the normal and reasonable flow of traffic, you can be a hazard. This does not mean exceeding the speed limit to stay with the flow, mind you. Of course, if it is necessary to reduce your speed for safe operation or you are temporarily unable to maintain a greater speed due to the weight of the vehicle and grade of the highway you will be fine.

Did you know that you need to check with city code and ordinances as they can add and/or be more specific in a number of areas; parking, u-turns, bicycle safety, noise from all sources, just to name a few?

Did you know that a dog cannot be in your lap while you are driving? (This is my pet peeve — pun intended.) It is a violation to restrict the safe operation of the vehicle by the driver with passengers or by load — please, no one can argue intelligently for a dog in a driver’s lap, if covered by law or not!

Did you know that opening any door on a motor vehicle unless and until it is safe to do so is covered in traffic code? It even adds that the door cannot remain open for a period any longer than needed for loading and unloading the passenger — pertaining to the traffic side of the vehicle.

Did you know when on a downward grade you cannot coast with your vehicle being in neutral? A commercial vehicle cannot coast on a downgrade with the clutch disengaged.

Did you know that is enough of “Did you know”? ~ It is likely you will see more in the future!

Jacalyn Sticha is a sergeant with the Minnesota State Patrol’s Mankato district.