Ask a Trooper 

Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol 

Question: My husband and I are wondering if it is true that emergency vehicles can change a light from red to green, if they need to proceed through an intersection. Is this true, or is it just a myth that people now believe to be true? Also, if this is true, how is the light triggered? Is it triggered by the flashing lights of the emergency vehicle or is it triggered through some other method?

Thank you for your column! We read it every time and we appreciate the helpful and accurate information.

Answer: Emergency vehicles can change traffic lights using a system called Opticom. The device on the vehicle emits a specific light or signal, which is detected by a receiver on or near the traffic light. The receiver then triggers the traffic light to change, giving priority to the emergency vehicle.

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).