SIKESTON -- Some new laws dealing with vehicle operations are set to take affect Thursday, mostly dealing with utility vehicles, increased fines for violations in travel safe and work zones, and those related to DWI and intoxication-related offenses.
"It doesn't hurt for someone to look at the laws and see what the changes are," said Capt. J. "Tim" Hull of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
One of the biggest changes to affect those in southeast Missouri deals with utility vehicles, said Hull.
"It reflects the ATV law, but first and foremost provides a definition of a utility vehicle," said Hull. "And this is a large farming community, so that's probably something that will be of interest to folks in the area."
Defining a utility vehicle is important, said Lt. James McNiell, commander of the Patrol's Troop E Service Center in Sikeston, because before, there weren't really any laws governing some utility vehicles such as gators, mules and golf carts.
"Until this law was enacted, they really had no legal right to be on the road," he said. "And it's going to require now that you must have a driver's license, so that's going to limit some of those underage drivers we tend to see out there joyriding and so forth."
The timing is good, too. "It's kind of interesting that came up, because we're getting questions about the golf carts and other similar vehicles," he said. The law basically gives government bodies the right to allow those vehicles on secondary roadways.
McNiell noted that when it comes to utility vehicles, farmers have several exemptions by law, as well as those who are handicapped.
Another change that will come Thursday is the enhancement of penalties for moving or speeding violations in travel safe zones.
"There are specific areas where the highway safety analysis shows there are a large number of fatal or disabling vehicle crashes in that area as compared to other roadways that are of similar nature," explained Hull. He said those areas are clearly marked by the Department of Transportation -- in fact, in order to assess fines, signs much be erected around the zone to warn motorists of the doubling in fines.
"It's something that continues to be a problem and the Highway Patrol is continuing to spend extra resources in these work zones to slow people down," added McNiell. "We are doing anything we can do, and it's going to send a strong message to the motoring public."
However, the only such zones in the state, aside from construction zones, are in the St. Louis area, said Craig Compas, district traffic engineer with the Missouri Department of Transportation.
He also noted that, with the upcoming Labor Day holiday, there are no scheduled work zones. "We always close off all our construction zones during the holiday weekend, he said.
That weekend, AAA is expecting the number of people traveling 50 miles or more to drop by 0.9 percent.
Hull said "it's hard to tell" what the volume here will actually be like. "But we're certainly expecting to see an increase (over the normal flow.) Every holiday, there seems to be a change in traffic," he said.
He noted that with a slight drop in gas prices, that may encourage a few more motorists. McNiell agreed. "I expect, with the weather being a bit cooler and nicer, that we'll see a pretty good increase in traffic during this last major holiday during the warmer months," he said.
No matter what, though, the patrol is ready. Counting period for Labor Day is set to begin at 6 p.m. Friday and run through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 1.
Also, similar to the Fourth of July holiday's 10 Mile Trooper Operation, there will be a 15 Mile Trooper Operation this weekend.
"Every 15 miles, there will be a trooper on the Interstate to enforce traffic laws and assist motorists," explained Hull.
"Our resources and manpower will be out there," added McNiell. "High visibility is the key to our enforcement, and we want people to see us and know we're out there."
Hull said it's most important for motorists just to pay attention and follow the rules of the road -- obey speed limits, wear a seat belt, and designate a sober driver if needed.
McNiell added that, if motorists spot a problem on the road, they should call *55 on their cell phone or call the MSHP toll-free number, 1-800-525-5555. "When we receive those calls on our emergency line, that's priority for us," he said.
Another change to take effect Thursday will be that the Department of Revenue is cracking down on issuance of licenses to illegal aliens and those who cannot prove lawful presence in the United States. "The CDL tests will only be given in English now, and translators will not be allowed," said Hull. "It also specifies the penalties for driver's license fraud."
Other new laws passed deal with DWI and intoxication-related offenses. One, passed to rectify a recent Supreme Court ruling, allows any prior alcohol-related violation, regardless of what level of government issued it -- to be used to enhance penalties, explained Hull.
Also, ignition interlock devices make the current law for repeat offenders an administrative requirement enforced by the Department of Revenue, not the courts. That law takes effect July 1.
To read the full report on the new laws, go to www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov.