Missouri Motor Vehicle Laws and Regulations

Motor Vehicle Offense Handbook

• The instructor will review the organization of the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo) and have recruits locate specific information regarding traffic regulations and equipment regulations.

Traffic Regulations

• Exceeded The Posted Speed Limit (RSMo 304.010):
  • Multiple speed limit laws have been enacted since the state of Missouri raised the speed limit on certain highways from 55 mph.
  • Each law has a separate Missouri Charge Code that utilizes the same Chapter RSMo 304.010.
  • Violations vary depending on the rate of speed driven over the posted speed limit:
    • Exceeded Limit by 01-05 mph (Infraction)
    • Exceeded Limit by 06-10 mph (Misd.C)
    • Exceeded Limit by 11-15 mph (Misd.C)
    • Exceeded Limit by 16-19 mph (Misd.C)
    • Exceeded Limit by 20 or more mph (Misd.B)
• Exceeded Posted Speed Limit Set By 1st Class County (RSMo 304.130):
  • Applies to County maintained/governed roadways that lie in the unincorporated venue of a 1st class county.
  • Speed limit law is regulated in the same manner as RSMo 304.010.
  • Each law under RSMo 304.130 employs the description of Exceeded The Posted Speed Limit Set By 1st Class County and is further modified by the degree of speed driven over the speed limit.
• Operation Of A Motor Vehicle In A Careless And Imprudent Manner (RSMo 304.012):
  • A person operates a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner if their driving endangers the property, life, or limb of another.
  • A more detailed description of the violation is required, including what caused the endangerment.
  • Emergency vehicles are exempt from this law, but operators must still drive safely.
• Impeding The Flow Of Traffic (RSMo 304.011):
  • No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal flow of traffic.
  • The operator must first receive a warning before they can be ticketed.
• Following Too Closely (RSMo 304.017):
  • Following too closely is defined as "more closely than reasonably safe and prudent."
  • Common sense suggests leaving enough space for a driver to stop.
  • Safety rules:
    • For every 10 mph, allow one car length between your car and the car you are following.
    • Determine an object ahead, such as a utility pole, and count two seconds. If your vehicle meets that point prior to reaching the two-second mark, your vehicle may be too close.
• Railroad Crossings (RSMo 304.030):
  • The following vehicles must come to a full stop within 50 feet, but not less than 10 feet, of railroad crossings at all times:
    • Motor vehicles transporting person(s) for hire.
    • School buses.
    • Motor vehicles transporting explosives, corrosives, flammables, etc.
• Stop Required At Railroad Crossing (RSMo 304.035):
  • No person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing when a train is approaching while such gate is closed or is being opened or closed.
• Operation And Responsibility Of School Bus Drivers (RSMo 304.050):
  • The operator of a school bus cannot take on or discharge students on a highway consisting of four or more lanes of traffic as to require the student to cross more than two lanes of traffic.
  • The operator may not take on or discharge students whereupon his/her school bus is not visible in each direction for at least 300 feet.

Equipment Regulations

• Light Signals (RSMo 304.281):
  • Traffic facing a steady red signal shall stop at the crosswalk, stop line, or a point on the near side before entering the intersection.
  • A driver may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn on a red light but will yield to pedestrians and other traffic.
• Stop Signs (RSMo 304.351 (4a)):
  • When a driver approaches a stop sign intersection, he shall stop his vehicle at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk, or if none, then at a point nearest the intersecting roadway.
  • A stop is determined when all wheels cease rotation momentarily.
• Flashing Signals (RSMo 304.301):
  • A flashing red light is a stop signal.
  • Traffic facing a flashing red signal shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of the approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.
• U-Turns (RSMo 304.341 (2)):
  • No U-turns at controlled intersections.
  • No U-turns when it is unsafe or interferes with other traffic.
• -driving On The Right Side Of The Roadway (RSMo 304.015):
  • Vehicles will drive on the right side of the roadway with sufficient width except:
    • When overtaking or passing.
    • When making a left turn.
    • When the right side of the roadway is closed to traffic.
    • When traveling on a one-way street.
  • When a highway is clearly marked with three or more lanes, a vehicle shall remain in one lane unless:
    • Movement can be made safely.
    • Making a left turn.
    • Must obey signs enacted controlling traffic movement.

Emergency Vehicles

• Emergency Vehicles (RSMo 304.022, 307.175):
  • Emergency vehicles include law enforcement, fire, ambulance, public utility, towing, and government vehicles used in an emergency.
  • Required to have at least one lighted lamp displaying red or blue light that is visible at a distance of 500 feet.
  • Required to give an audible signal by siren, bell, or whistle.
  • Visible light(s) and audible signal must both be used if vehicle is driven as an emergency vehicle.
  • The driver of an emergency vehicle must believe that an actual emergency exists in order to operate as an emergency vehicle.
  • Emergency vehicles are only authorized to operate with emergency lights and siren on when responding to an emergency.

Abandoned Vehicles

• Vehicles Left Unattended On Public Property (RSMo 304.155):
  • A law enforcement officer may authorize a towing operator to remove any vehicle from the right of way of any highway if the vehicle has been left unattended for more than 48 hours.
  • A law enforcement officer may also authorize a towing operator to remove any abandoned property illegally left standing upon any highway or bridge if the abandoned property is left in a position or under such circumstances as to obstruct the normal movement of traffic.
• Vehicles Left Unattended On Private Property (RSMo 304.157, 577.080):
  • If a person abandons a vehicle on any real property owned by another without the consent of the owner, a law enforcement officer may authorize a towing operator to remove such vehicle.
  • The vehicle is abandoned if it is left unattended for more than 48 hours or if it unreasonably interferes with the use of real property by the person in possession.

Injurious Substances

• Injurious Substances Placed On Roadway (RSMo 304.160):
  • Any person who purposely or accidentally dropped nails, tacks, wire, scrap metal, glass, or other injurious substances on the roadway shall immediately make all efforts to clear the highway of the substances.

Presumptions

• Presumptions (RSMo 304.271):
  • No traffic laws shall be enforced against a violator if at the time the traffic device cannot be seen by an ordinary person.

Equipment Regulations

• Loads To Be Secured (RSMo 307.010):
  • All motor vehicles and trailers operating on public highways and carrying material or farm products that may reasonably be expected to become dislodged due to air pressure or vehicle movement shall have a protective cover or be secured so that no portion of the load can fall from the vehicle.
• Definitions (RSMo 307.020):
  • Auxiliary lamp: Additional lighting device that supplements head lamps in providing general illumination ahead of a vehicle.
  • Headlamp: Major lighting device capable of providing general illumination ahead of the vehicle.
  • Single-beam headlamp: Headlamp that uses one distribution of light.
  • Multi-beam headlamp: Headlamp arranged so as to permit the driver of a vehicle to use one of two or more distributions of light on the road.
• When Lighted Lamps Are Required (RSMo 307.040):
  • Lighted lamps are required at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible and vehicles on the highway at a distance of 500 feet ahead.
• Headlamps On Motor Vehicles (RSMo 307.045):

Vision-Reducing Materials on Vehicles

• Vision-reducing materials are prohibited on windshields, front side windows, and windows adjacent to the driver, except for persons with certain physical disorders with a physician's prescription.

Seat Belts and Passenger Cars

• A passenger car is defined as a motor vehicle designed to carry 10 persons or less, excluding motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and motor tricycles.
• All drivers and front seat passengers of passenger cars must wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt on state highways.
• Exemptions include drivers employed by the U.S. Postal Service while performing specific duties.

Child Safety Restraints

• Drivers transporting children aged 4-16 must secure them in a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt in any passenger compartment.
• This law does not apply to persons operating or riding in vehicles used for agricultural work or if there are more passengers than available seatbelts.
• All persons under 18 operating or riding in a truck must wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety belt.

Definitions and Penalties

• A child booster seat is defined as a seating system that meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, designed to elevate a child to properly sit in a federally approved safety belt system.