Missouri Laws 304.031 – Traffic signal preemption system, use of, permitted when — violations, penalty
1. As used in this section, “Traffic Signal Preemption System (TSPS)” shall mean a traffic-control system designated for use by emergency vehicles, as defined in this section, to improve traffic movement by temporarily controlling signalized intersections.
2. The owner of a traffic control signal may authorize use of a TSPS by the following persons for the following purposes:
Attorney's Note
Under the Missouri Laws, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class B misdemeanor | up to 6 months | up to $1,000 |
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 304.031
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- following: when used by way of reference to any section of the statutes, mean the section next preceding or next following that in which the reference is made, unless some other section is expressly designated in the reference. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Person: any natural person, corporation, or other legal entity. See Missouri Laws 304.001
(1) An authorized operator in an authorized emergency vehicle, or an authorized person who is an employee or member of an agency or entity which operates emergency vehicles, who may activate a TSPS from a station where the entity’s emergency vehicles are based to control a traffic signal near that station, in order to improve the safety and efficiency of emergency response operations;
(2) An authorized operator in a bus, in order to interrupt the cycle of the traffic control signal in such a way as to keep the green light showing for longer than it otherwise would;
(3) An authorized operator in a traffic signal maintenance vehicle, in order to facilitate traffic signal maintenance activities.
3. A TSPS used by an authorized person in an emergency vehicle or at a station where emergency vehicles are stationed shall preempt and override a device operated by any other person.
4. A traffic control signal operating device used as authorized under this section must operate in such a way that the device does not continue to control the signal once the vehicle containing the device has arrived at the intersection, regardless of whether the vehicle remains at the intersection. No motor vehicle driver shall be convicted of any traffic violation if there is evidence that TSPS has been used by a government official to improperly change the sequence of the traffic signals.
5. It shall be unlawful for any person not approved herein to use a TSPS to control traffic.
6. Violation of this section shall be deemed a class B misdemeanor.