Bill Text: MS SB2371 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi Senate Bill 2371 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Rules of the Road; require dissemination of additional information.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)

Status: (Failed) 2017-01-31 - Died In Committee [SB2371 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2017-SB2371-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 Regular Session

To: Judiciary, Division B; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Massey, Parker, Younger

Senate Bill 2371

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING A DRIVER'S PROPER BEHAVIOR DURING A TRAFFIC STOP BE DISSEMINATED TO THE DRIVING PUBLIC BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 63-3-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-3-7. (1) The Commissioner of Public Safety is hereby authorized and directed to compile in a condensed form the "Rules of the Road" as set out by this chapter and have sufficient copies printed in pocket size booklet form. The booklets shall be made available to the various law enforcement departments, other agencies and members of the public. The Department of Public Safety may charge another department or agency an amount not exceeding the actual costs incurred by the department in compiling, printing and distributing the booklets; however, no charge may be made by the Department of Public Safety or any other department or agency for distribution of the booklets to the public. The Department of Public Safety also may compile a condensed form of the "Rules of the Road" in electronic format, which shall be accessible by law enforcement departments, other agencies and the public without charge.

(2) The "Rules of the Road" shall also contain the following information to be entitled "Being Pulled Over by Law Enforcement:"

(a) Slow down and pull over safely as soon as possible. If the police vehicle is unmarked and you cannot identify the driver as a police officer, drive slowly and carefully below the speed limit to a well-lighted, populated spot and pull over, or go to the nearest police station, attempt to attract the attention of a uniformed officer or call 911.

(b) A law enforcement officer may approach your vehicle from the passenger or driver side of the vehicle.

(c) Stay in the driver's seat with both hands clearly in sight on the steering wheel until the officer instructs you otherwise or the traffic stop is complete. Do not exit your vehicle unless asked to do so. Getting out of your vehicle can be perceived as aggressive behavior and a threat to the officer's safety. Turn on your interior light if stopped at night.

Comply with the officer's request to see your driver's license and proof of insurance. If these items are in the glove box, under the seat or if your proof of insurance is stored for display on your cellphone, inform the officer of that fact and then follow his/her directions before retrieving them.

(d) If you are issued a ticket requiring a signature, sign it. Signing a ticket is not an admission of guilt � only an acknowledgment of receiving the ticket.

(e) If you are suspected of drunk driving, cooperate with the officer(s) on the scene. If you refuse to submit to breath, blood or performance tests, your refusal could result in loss of driving privileges.

(f) Be aware that you may have committed some minor traffic violation without realizing it, there may be some problem with your vehicle of which you are unaware or you might be driving a vehicle that is similar to one used in a serious crime. Many officers will not provide specific reasons for the stop until they have your license and insurance card in hand. Therefore, they will avoid having to debate the reason for the stop before they receive these items from you.

(g) If you wish to offer an explanation of your circumstances when stopped, do so before the officer returns to his vehicle. The officer cannot void the ticket once it has been written. Cooperate during the incident even if you believe you have not committed an offense. If you believe you have been treated unfairly, present your case in traffic court and not to the officer along the roadway.

(h) You are to be treated with dignity and respect by the officer. If you believe that an officer has acted inappropriately during a traffic stop or other encounter, you should report that conduct as soon as possible to the officer's superiors.

(i) Officers are required to provide their names and badge numbers upon request.

SECTION 2. The Department of Public Safety may exercise editorial discretion in the publication of the information required in Section 1 of this act.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage, and shall be included in all formats of dissemination authorized under Section 63-3-7 that are produced or disseminated no later than October 1, 2017.