6/15/10-A bill has died that included provisions to address truck lane restrictions, speed traps and text messaging.
SB781 failed to get a full House vote. The Senate previously approved a similar version.
The bill would have boosted penalties for large trucks found in violation of lane restrictions in St. Charles County.
A two-year-old Missouri law limits trucks with a registered gross weight in excess of 48,000 pounds from the far left lane of “urbanized” roadways with at least three lanes of traffic in each direction. Violators face up to $200 fines.
The bill sought to increase penalties in St. Charles County to as much as a $300 fine and 15 days in jail. If a violation “causes the immediate threat of an accident,” the penalty would have escalated to as much as a $500 fine and six months in jail.
A separate provision in the bill would have revised Missouri law that limits the amount of general operating revenue a town or city can receive from traffic violations to 35 percent. Nonmoving violations would have been included in the 35 percent threshold.
Texting while driving is another issue that was included in the lengthy bill. A 2009 law makes it illegal for drivers 21 and younger in Missouri to read, write or send text messages while operating a vehicle.
The bill would have expanded the ban to cover all ages.

5/11/10-The House Transportation Committee recently voted to advance a Senate-approved bill to the House floor includes provisions that address truck lane restrictions, speed traps and text messaging. However, time is running out for the bill to advance to the governor. The session is scheduled to end May 14.
SB781 would boost penalties for large trucks found in violation of lane restrictions in St. Charles County.
A two-year-old Missouri law limits trucks with a registered gross weight in excess of 48,000 pounds from the far left lane of “urbanized” roadways with at least three lanes of traffic in each direction. Violators face up to $200 fines.
The bill would increase penalties in St. Charles County to as much as a $300 fine and 15 days in jail. If a violation “causes the immediate threat of an accident,” the penalty would escalate to as much as a $500 fine and six months in jail.
A separate provision in the bill would revise Missouri law that limits the amount of general operating revenue a town or city can receive from traffic violations to 35 percent. Nonmoving violations would be included in the 35 percent threshold.
Texting while driving is another issue included in the lengthy bill. A 2009 law makes it illegal for drivers 21 and younger in Missouri to read, write or send text messages while operating a vehicle.
The bill would expand the ban to cover all ages.
If House lawmakers approve SB781, it would move back to the Senate for approval of changes before it could advance to Gov. Jay Nixon’s desk.
For bill status, call 800-877-5982.

4/19/10-The Senate has approved a bill that addresses safety issues on roadways. It now moves to the House.
Sponsored by Sen. Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, SB781 would boost penalties for large trucks found in violation of lane restrictions in St. Charles County.
A two-year-old Missouri law limits trucks with a registered gross weight in excess of 48,000 pounds from the far left lane of “urbanized” roadways with at least three lanes of traffic in each direction. Violators face up to $200 fines.
The bill would increase penalties in St. Charles County to as much as a $300 fine and 15 days in jail. If a violation “causes the immediate threat of an accident,” the penalty would escalate to as much as a $500 fine and six months in jail.
A separate provision in the bill would revise the “Macks Creek law” limiting the amount of general operating revenue a town or city can receive from traffic violations to 35 percent.
The Macks Creek law would be expanded to prohibit communities from making 35 percent of its general revenue from moving and nonmoving violations.
Texting while driving is another issue included in the lengthy bill. Currently, it is illegal for drivers 21 and younger in Missouri to read, write or send text messages while operating a vehicle. The bill would expand the ban to cover all ages.
The bill is in the House Transportation Committee. For bill status, call 800-877-5982.