Prohibits passing on certain roadways within 1,000 feet of the driveway of certain public schools located on federal or state highways
Summary
HB 1253 repeals and reenacts Missouri’s general rules governing overtaking and passing vehicles on roadways. The bill restates when a driver must pass on the left, when passing on the right is allowed, and when a vehicle may not cross left of the centerline. It also preserves existing safety restrictions for passing near hills, curves, bridges, viaducts, tunnels, intersections, and railroad crossings.
The key substantive change is a new restriction prohibiting vehicles from driving to the left side of the roadway within 1,000 feet of the driveway entrance to a public school located on a federal or state highway, with an exception for locations inside city, town, or village limits. The bill also keeps the current penalty structure, making a violation a class C misdemeanor.
Impact
HB 1253 would amend Missouri traffic law by replacing section 304.016 with a new version that adds a school-zone-related passing restriction on certain highways. The change affects motorists traveling on federal or state highways near public school driveways, while leaving the broader passing rules largely intact. It would also continue to authorize enforcement through a class C misdemeanor penalty for violations.
Sentiment
Based on the bill caption and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as a roadway safety measure, particularly focused on protecting school areas. There is no evidence in the supplied record of organized opposition or support, but the proposal’s safety rationale suggests generally favorable treatment as a traffic-safety bill.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the new 1,000-foot no-passing restriction near school driveways on federal or state highways. Supporters would likely view it as a child-safety and traffic-control measure, while critics could question whether the distance is too broad, whether it is difficult for drivers to identify and comply with, or whether it could create enforcement issues. The exception for incorporated cities, towns, and villages may also raise questions about consistency between rural and urban roadway rules.