HB 1310 -- EMERGENCY VEHICLE PERSONNEL

SPONSOR:  Lipke

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Crime
Prevention and Public Safety by a vote of 12 to 0.

This bill specifies that a person commits the crimes of
involuntary manslaughter in the second degree and assault in the
second degree if he or she fails to yield the right-of-way to an
emergency vehicle and, in doing so, acts with criminal negligence
to cause the death of any person authorized to operate an
emergency vehicle while in the performance of his or her official
duties.  The bill increases the penalty for failing to yield the
right-of-way to an emergency vehicle from a class B misdemeanor
to a class A misdemeanor.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of less than
$100,000 in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.  No impact on Other
State Funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that currently drivers are required
to move to the left lane when an emergency vehicle is alongside a
road or highway to keep emergency personnel safer when working
accidents.  The bill increases the penalty for failure to move to
the left from a class B to a class A misdemeanor.  Drivers do not
have the option of moving over or slowing down unless it is
unsafe to change lanes.  Educating drivers about the law is the
key to avoiding more emergency personnel fatalities.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Lipke; Cheryl Floyd;
Jennifer Sampietro; Missouri State Troopers Association; State
Highway Patrol; Fire Fighters Association of Missouri; Missouri
Coalition for Roadway Safety; and Missouri Sheriffs' Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Kristina Jenkins, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:42 am