Answer: There was a very minor change within the past 3-4 years but it was only a couple words. They just clarified that a shoulder was never to be used for passing, whether the shoulder is paved or unpaved. Otherwise, the law is pretty much the same. The bottom line is that in Minnesota, passing on the right is only allowed when there is a lane provided for it. That means you can pass on the right when you are on a multiple lane highway, or when there is an actual designated ÒbypassÓ lane, and that's about it.

Two-lane roads do not magically turn into a multi-lane roadway at intersections, nor do the shoulders at intersections magically turn into bypass lanes. By statute, any area outside the normal lane width (generally about 12 feet) is automatically considered being a shoulder area, whether or not there is a painted fog line, and whether or not it is paved. This is also true at intersections in a city or outside of a city, no matter.

Drivers who think they have to pass on the right because the vehicle ahead is turning left and they don't want to rear end that vehicle, are actually driving too fast or following too close or not paying attention or a combination of all the above. People need to signal their turn well in advance and stay in their lane waiting to turn with their wheels pointed straight ahead. Drivers behind must wait for that vehicle to turn and then go. They can't pass using a turn lane, whether or not the turn lane is marked with a sign. There are a lot of areas that have bypass lanes provided. Some of them are signed, and some are not.

Because of the design of some roadways, there are actually a few combination turn-lane and bypass-lanes out there. A lot of those are marked as such, but some are not. There will not be as many of those in the future because they are not as safe. Drivers who use a bypass lane to pass a left turning vehicle must slow down before and during the pass while watching for hazards. Bypass lanes are indicated with a "broken" white line.

Police are indeed stopping people for passing on the right. The total fine is about $127 depending on local county fees that are attached to the fine. Also, it is a moving violation that goes on your driving record.

Thanks for asking. I hope this information helps.

If you have any questions for future columns concerning motor vehicle traffic in Minnesota, send your questions to: Sgt. Curt S. Mowers MN State Patrol P.O. Box 644 Brainerd MN 56401. Questions are edited.