SB 687 - This act reduces the penalty for certain traffic violations to an infraction. The act also provides that no court shall issue a warrant for failure to appear for any violation classified as an infraction. (Section 304.009.3). Violations reduced to infractions under the act include: • Exceeding the posted speed limit, formerly a Class C misdemeanor, except that the penalty for exceeding the posted speed limit by 20 miles per hour or more is reduced from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.010); • Operating a vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede traffic, with certain exceptions, formerly an unspecified misdemeanor. (Section 304.011.1); • Operating a vehicle at a speed less than 40 miles per hour on an interstate, formerly a class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.011.2-3); • Unlawful operation of an all-terrain or off-road vehicle, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.013); • Failure to park or drive on the right-hand side of a road or highway as required by law, currently a Class C misdemeanor, except that the penalty when a violation of this provision causes an immediate threat of an accident is reduced from a Class B misdemeanor to a Class C misdemeanor, and the penalty when the violation results in an accident is reduced from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor. (Section 304.015); • Failure to pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction on the left of that vehicle, at a reasonable distance, and under safe conditions as specified by law, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.016); • Following behind another vehicle closer than is reasonably safe and prudent, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.017); • Failure to turn or decrease the speed of a vehicle only when safe to do so, or to give an appropriate signal, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.019); • Unlawful passing of a streetcar stopped to take in or discharge passengers, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.023); • Use of a traffic signal preemption system to control traffic by an unauthorized person, formerly a Class B misdemeanor. (Section 304.031); • Unlawful operation of a utility vehicle, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.032); • Failure to proceed with caution or stop at a railroad crossing as required by law, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.035); • Failure of certain vehicles, trucks, or buses to stop at a railroad crossing as required by law, formerly an unspecified misdemeanor. (Section 304.040); • Any bus or truck following within 300 feet of another such vehicle, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.044); • Display of signs indicating a vehicle is a school bus when it is not being used for the transportation of school children, formerly a class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.075); • Failure to properly yield to a person with a disability using a cane or a guide dog, formerly an unspecified misdemeanor. (Section 304.110); • Failure to make reasonable efforts to clear away sharp objects dropped onto a highway, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.160); • Failure to obey official traffic control devices or signals, or to yield as required thereby, formerly Class C misdemeanors. (Sections 304.271, 304.281, and 304.301); • Failure to comply with requirements for making certain turns, or making a prohibited turn, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.341); • Failure to yield the right-of-way as required by law at an intersection where there is not a form of traffic control other than stop or yield signs, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.351); • Failure to obey instructions of an official traffic control device, for which no other penalty is specified, formerly an unspecified misdemeanor. (Section 304.361); • Transportation of hazardous materials through a highway tunnel of at least 100 yards, or parking a vehicle containing hazardous materials within 300 feet of a highway tunnel, except as provided by federal law, formerly a Class B misdemeanor, except that the penalty for a second or subsequent violation of this provision is reduced from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor. (Section 304.373); • Violation of applicable vehicle equipment regulations for which no other penalty is specified, formerly an unspecified misdemeanor. (Section 304.570); • Failure to leave a safe distance when passing a bicycle and an accident is involved, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.678); and • Overtaking or passing another vehicle within an active emergency zone, formerly a Class C misdemeanor. (Section 304.892). This act is similar to HB 1546 (2020). ERIC VANDER WEERD