5/17/04-A bill that would have outlawed unauthorized use of controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green has died.
HB1345, sponsored by Rep. Dan Ward, D-Bonne Terre, remained in the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee at the close of the session May 14.
The traffic device provision, however, was included in a larger transportation bill – SB1233 – that was approved on the Legislature’s final day and forwarded to Gov. Bob Holden.

4/1/04-The House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee is reviewing a bill that would outlaw unauthorized use of controllers that can change some traffic signals from red to green.
A traffic-light changer is designed to allow police, fire and other emergency officials to clear intersections before they approach.
HB1345, sponsored by Rep. Dan Ward, D-Bonne Terre, would make the use of so-called mobile infrared transmitters, or MIRT, by anyone except emergency personnel a Class B misdemeanor with a potential fine up to $500 and six months in jail.
The devices, which sit on a vehicle’s dash, are not regulated by current federal standards because they rely on a beam of light instead of a radio wave to trigger the light-changing mechanisms that have been attached to some intersections.
For House bill status, call (573) 751-4043.