House Bill 397

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-809, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS TO PERFORM CERTAIN TRAFFIC SAFETY MANEUVERS WHEN APPROACHING A STATIONARY AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE, A RECOVERY VEHICLE OR A HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE VEHICLE; TO PRESCRIBE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-3-809, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-3-809. (1) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer.

(2) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when such vehicle is giving a signal by use of flashing, blinking, oscillating or rotating lights, as authorized under Section 63-7-19, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:

(a) Proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a roadway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or

(b) Proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions and being prepared to stop, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.

(3) Upon approaching a stationary recovery vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle, when such vehicle is giving a signal by use of authorized flashing lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:

(a) Proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the stationary recovery vehicle or the highway maintenance vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a roadway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or

(b) Proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions and being prepared to stop, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.

(4) For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise clearly requires:

(a) "Highway maintenance vehicle" means a vehicle used for the maintenance of highways and roadways in this state and is:

(i) Owned or operated by the Department of Transportation, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state; or

(ii) Owned or operated by a contractor under contract with the Department of Transportation, a county, a municipality or other political subdivision of this state;

(b) "Recovery vehicle" means a truck that is specifically designed for towing a disabled vehicle or a combination of vehicles.

(5) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine:

(a) Of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00); or

(b) Of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) if violation of this section results in:

(i) Property damage to the emergency vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle or recovery vehicle; or

(ii) Bodily injury to the driver or a passenger of any such vehicle.

(2) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, a recovery vehicle or a highway maintenance vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the roadway.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.