NEWS RELEASE



For further information please contact:

Captain J. T. "Tim" Hull

(573) 526-6115



January 3, 2007



EMPHASIS: New Laws Effective January 1, 2007





In 2006 the Missouri General Assembly enacted new legislation affecting vehicle operation and Governor Matt Blunt signed the legislation into law. Some of the laws contained an emergency clause and went into effect upon the signing and others went into effect August 28, 2006, however a couple of important laws actually went into effect January 1, 2007. The Patrol wishes to make the public aware of these new laws or changes to increase public awareness and education of motor vehicle laws.



CLUTCH'S LAW (FAILURE TO YIELD) - This law imposes an additional penalty and driver's license suspension on any person failing to yield the right-of-way when the violation results in physical injury, serious physical injury, or death to a person (Section 304.351). This act is commonly known as "Clutch's Law". This section has an effective date of January 1, 2007.



HOURS OF BEHIND-THE-WHEEL INSTRUCTION - This law increases the number of hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction during the permit phase that one must complete in order to obtain an intermediate license. The previous law required 20 hours of instruction while the new law requires 40 hours of instruction, including a minimum of 10 hours of nighttime instruction. This requirement was effective January 1, 2007.