Greetings all! This article will not involve a question on Minnesota law, but I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Trooper Jesse Grabow and I will be replacing Trooper Andy who recently retired after serving for more than 29 years. I have been serving as a state trooper for more than 12 years. Over 11 of those years I have been stationed out of the Detroit Lakes district serving the public in the Moorhead area and throughout the Red River Valley and all around. I also worked as a patrol officer for the Pelican Rapids Police Department prior to my appointment to the State Patrol.

So what got me interested in the State Patrol? Well as a matter of fact, I come from a long line of state troopers. I am following in my father’s, Sgt. Jeff Grabow, and grandfather’s, Arlo Grabow, footsteps. My father currently works out of the Fergus Falls station. My grandfather served in the Aitkin, Alexandria and Wadena areas from 1952-1982. As a third-generation state trooper, I am honored to carry on a very proud tradition. There have been so many others that have gone before us to set the path. What got me interested in this position with the State Patrol? Not only the influence of my family but the impact made years ago made by then-Public Information Officer Trooper Dave Bulik. Trooper Dave made a very good impression on me. The messages Trooper Dave delivered about driver safety still stick in the minds of many people today. Minnesotans will be forever grateful for his efforts to save lives.

I am looking forward to serving in the capacity as the public information officer for the northwest region of the state patrol and writing the “Ask a Trooper” articles. As Trooper Andy mentioned in his last article, “The success of the article is due mostly to you, the reader, and your local newspaper.” I am so very thankful for the local newspapers that are willing to publish the articles, for they also are contributing to the safety of the motoring public.

Again I would like to congratulate Trooper Andy and wish him the best on his retirement. Well deserved, good friend. I, along with the rest of the people whom you served, am thankful and appreciative of your loyal and unselfish service.

A reminder with winter being upon us, and days of enduring inclement weather, please remember to turn on your headlights. Now a lot of the newer vehicles are equipped with automatic lights. These can work great but please note that many are run off of light sensitivity. So there are many days when there is enough light, but visibility is reduced due to weather such as fog, snow, rain, etc. There is a good chance your automatic lights are not engaging. Ultimately it becomes your responsibility to turn those headlights on. Another thing to note is maybe you have the daytime running lights in the front, but no taillights to the rear. Again this becomes a huge safety issue depending on the weather. SO WHEN IN DOUBT, TURN THOSE HEADLIGHTS ON!

If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws in Minnesota, please send your questions to: Trooper Jesse Grabow — Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501, or reach me at jesse.grabow@state.mn.us.