House Bill 198

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ANY COUNTY AND THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF ANY MUNICIPALITY TO PERMIT THE CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF SPEED BUMPS ON ANY ROAD, STREET OR HIGHWAY UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY; TO GRANT COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, AND COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGE ARISING OUT OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF SPEED BUMPS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The board of supervisors of any county, in its discretion, and the governing authorities of any municipality, in their discretion, for the purpose of regulating motor vehicle speed and protecting the health and safety of citizens of the county or municipality, may authorize the construction and installation of speed bumps on any road, street or highway under the jurisdiction of the county or municipality.

(2) Counties and municipalities, and any official or employee of a county or municipality, shall be immune from liability for any injury or damage to any person or property caused by or arising out of the installation or construction of a speed bump authorized by the county board of supervisors or the municipal governing authorities provided that (a) the design and construction of the speed bump was approved by a traffic safety engineer that the county or municipality has employed or contracted with, and (b) motorists are given reasonable notice by posted signs warning of the presence of the speed bump.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.