House Bill 67

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 63-3-120, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE THE TERM "FIRE FIGHTER" AS USED IN THE CHAPTER OF LAW RELATING TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS AND RULES OF THE ROAD; TO AMEND SECTIONS 63-3-203 AND 63-3-313, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE FIRE FIGHTERS TO DIRECT, CONTROL AND REGULATE TRAFFIC AT VEHICLE ACCIDENT SCENES AND TO REQUIRE MOTORISTS TO COMPLY WITH SUCH DIRECTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 63-3-120, Mississippi Code of 1972:

63-3-120. "Fire fighter" means any person who is employed as a fire fighter or who serves as a fire fighter for any municipality, county or fire district in the state, whether or not compensation is provided for such employment or service and whether or not such employment or service is on a full-time, part-time or voluntary basis.

SECTION 2. Section 63-3-203, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-3-203. (1) No person shall wilfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer or fire fighter invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.

(2) A fire fighter may direct, control and regulate traffic when necessary to provide for public safety at the scene of any vehicle accident.

SECTION 3. Section 63-3-313, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-3-313. No driver of a vehicle shall disobey the instructions of any official traffic-control device placed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, unless at the time otherwise directed by a police officer or fire fighter.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.