MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representatives Broomfield, Bailey, Coleman (29th), Cummings, Ellis, Henderson (9th), Read, Wells-Smith

House Bill 713

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-1001, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO ERECT AND MAINTAIN STOP SIGNS AT ALL ROAD, STREET AND HIGHWAY RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION WHERE THERE IS NOT IN PLACE ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL LIGHTS, GATES OR DEVICES TO WARN MOTORISTS OF AN APPROACHING TRAIN; TO PRESCRIBE THE PENALTY FOR FAILURE OF A PERSON TO FAIL TO STOP AT SUCH SIGN; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 63-3-1001, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-3-1001. (1) The Mississippi Transportation Commission with reference to state highways, and local authorities with reference to other highways under their jurisdiction, may designate through highways and erect stop signs at specified entrances thereto or may designate any intersection signs at specified entrances thereto or may designate any intersection as a stop intersection and erect like signs at one or more entrances to such intersection.

(2) The board of supervisors of each county and the governing authorities of each municipality shall cause stop signs to be erected and maintained at all road, street and highway railroad grade crossings under their jurisdiction where there is not in place electrical or mechanical lights, gates or devices to warn motorists of an approaching train. Any person who fails to stop at such sign shall be punished, upon conviction, by fine, by imprisonment or by both fine and imprisonment as prescribed by Section 63-9-11.

(3) Every * * * sign erected under this section shall bear the word "Stop" in letters not less than eight (8) inches in height which sign shall be self-illuminated at night or if not shall be reflectorized. Every stop sign shall be located as near as practical at the property line of the highway at the entrance to which the stop must be made, or at the nearest line of the crosswalk thereat, or, if none, at the nearest line of the roadway.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.