SB 309 - This act authorizes high occupancy vehicle lanes and quicker towing of vehicles. Drivers are required to get stopped vehicles out of the roadway.

HOV LANES - The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission is authorized to designate lanes on state highways as high occupancy vehicle lanes. However, no existing general purpose lanes may be so designated. The high occupancy lanes may only be used by vehicles occupied by a minimum number of persons, except for law enforcement, emergency vehicles, motorcycles and maintenance trucks. Any person violating this lane designation is guilty of a misdemeanor.

OBSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC - The driver of any vehicle which obstructs the regular flow of traffic shall try to move it from the roadway. Violators shall be given warnings until August 28, 1997, and shall be fined from $10 - $50 thereafter.

TOWING OF VEHICLES - Vehicles may be ordered towed from the right-of-way on interstate and state highways if they have been left unattended for a minimum amount of time: 6 hours on interstates; 10 hours on state highways in urban areas; and 24 hours on state highways outside of urban areas. The current time requirement is 48 hours. The Missouri Highways and Transportation Department (MHTD) may cause any other abandoned vehicle or property to be immediately removed from a state highway if it creates a traffic hazard or impedes the flow of traffic. The liability of the MHTD for such removal is limited.
MIKE HOEFERKAMP

SCA 1 - COMMERCIAL TRUCKS CREATING TRAFFIC HAZARDS MAY ONLY BE TOWED TO A PLACE OF SAFETY, AND THE TRUCK OWNER MAY CHOOSE A TOWING OPERATOR.