HB 1379 -- Work Zone Safety

Sponsor:  St. Onge

This bill changes the laws regarding offenses occurring within
highway work zones or construction zones.  Any person convicted
of a second or subsequent moving violation within a work zone
will be assessed a fine of $75.  A person who is convicted of
speeding or passing a vehicle within a work zone when a highway
worker is present for a second or subsequent occurrence will be
assessed $300 in addition to any other fine authorized by law.

The bill creates the crime of endangerment of a highway worker
when a motorist driving in a construction or work zone:

(1)  Exceeds the posted speed limit by 15 miles per hour or more;

(2)  Passes another vehicle which results in the death or injury
of a highway worker;

(3)  Fails to stop for a work zone flagman or fails to obey
traffic control signals;

(4)  Physically assaults or attempts to assault a highway worker
with a motor vehicle or other instrument;

(5)  Intentionally strikes or moves barrels, barriers, signs, or
other devices erected to control the flow of traffic for a reason
other than avoidance of an obstacle, an emergency, or to protect
the health and safety of another person; or

(6)  Commits various offenses in which points may be assessed.

A person who is convicted of the offense of endangerment of a
highway worker in which no injury or death results will be
subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 and will have eight
points assessed on his or her driver's license.

If a highway worker is injured or killed in a work zone, the
offender will be guilty of aggravated endangerment of a highway
worker and subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 for an
injury, not more than $10,000 if a death resulted, and will have
12 points assessed on his or her license.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:43 am