OOIDA Information Update - Missouri Members
May 6, 2005

The Missouri House is expected to vote the week of May 9 on a bill that would ban large trucks from driving in the far left lane on most urban highways and interstates in the state.

If approved by House lawmakers, it would go back to the Senate for approval of changes before heading to Gov. Matt Blunt.

The bill would keep trucks to the right lanes of highways and interstates with three or more lanes in each direction despite the fact Missouri law already requires all slower moving cars and trucks to move to the right for faster moving vehicles.

Under SB221, violators could be subject to a fine ranging from $200 to $300.

Trucks would be permitted to merge left in certain situations, such as a vehicle entering the roadway or for construction.

Other provisions in the bill include:

• Permitting police to pull over drivers for not buckling up;
• Repealing the state law requiring adult motorcycle riders to wear helmets; and
• Increasing the penalty and imposing driver's license points for failure to yield the right-of-way when an injury or death results. Violators would face as much as a $1,000 fine and 12 points added to their licenses based on severity of the injuries.

It is important that you take the time to contact your state representative and let him/her know how you feel about the lane ban and other provisions.

For your representative's contact information, visit www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx. You can also call OOIDA's Membership Department at 1-800-444-5791 and they'll look it up.