304.031. Traffic signal preemption system, use of, permitted when--violations, penalty.
Traffic signal preemption system, use of, permitted when--violations,penalty.
304.031. 1. As used in this section, "Traffic Signal PreemptionSystem (TSPS)" shall mean a traffic-control system designated for use byemergency vehicles, as defined in this section, to improve traffic movementby temporarily controlling signalized intersections.
2. The owner of a traffic control signal may authorize use of a TSPSby the following persons for the following purposes:
(1) An authorized operator in an authorized emergency vehicle, or anauthorized person who is an employee or member of an agency or entity whichoperates emergency vehicles, who may activate a TSPS from a station wherethe entity's emergency vehicles are based to control a traffic signal nearthat station, in order to improve the safety and efficiency of emergencyresponse operations;
(2) An authorized operator in a bus, in order to interrupt the cycleof the traffic control signal in such a way as to keep the green lightshowing for longer than it otherwise would;
(3) An authorized operator in a traffic signal maintenance vehicle,in order to facilitate traffic signal maintenance activities.
3. A TSPS used by an authorized person in an emergency vehicle or ata station where emergency vehicles are stationed shall preempt and overridea device operated by any other person.
4. A traffic control signal operating device used as authorized underthis section must operate in such a way that the device does not continueto control the signal once the vehicle containing the device has arrived atthe intersection, regardless of whether the vehicle remains at theintersection. No motor vehicle driver shall be convicted of any trafficviolation if there is evidence that TSPS has been used by a governmentofficial to improperly change the sequence of the traffic signals.
5. It shall be unlawful for any person not approved herein to use aTSPS to control traffic.
6. Violation of this section shall be deemed a class B misdemeanor.
(L. 2004 S.B. 1233, et al.)