MO HB1040

Expands the definition of "emergency vehicle" to include vehicles owned by the state highways and transportation commission and operated by authorized Department of Transportation employees that are marked as emergency response or motorist assistance vehicles.

Requires drivers approaching stationary Department of Transportation vehicles displaying lighted amber or amber and white lights to proceed with caution, yield the right-of-way by changing lanes when safe on four-lane roads, or reduce speed and maintain safe driving conditions.

Prohibits sounding sirens or displaying front red or blue lights on emergency vehicles except when responding to emergency calls, pursuing law violators, or responding to fires.

Allows emergency vehicle drivers to park regardless of parking regulations, proceed past red or stop signals after slowing down, exceed speed limits without endangering life or property, and disregard direction-of-movement regulations.

Violation of this section constitutes a class A misdemeanor.