NEW PENALTIES TAKE EFFECT IN ARKANSAS

State legislation, which goes into effect today, creates two new violations - endangerment of a highway worker and aggravated endangerment of a highway worker. The new endangerment charge comes into play if a driver: a. exceeds the posted speed limit by 15 mph or more, b. passes another vehicle in a work zone and causes the death or injury to a highway worker, c.  fails to stop for a work zone flagman or fails to obey traffic control signals, d. physically assaults or attempts to assault a highway worker with a motor vehicle or other instrument, and e. intentionally strikes or moves barrels, barriers, signs or other devices positioned to control traffic flow for a reason other than avoidance of an obstacle, an emergency or to protect the health and safety of another person.

The new endangerment charge comes into play if a driver commits any offense already established under Section 302.302 of Missouri’s revised statutes - for example: a. careless and imprudent driving, b. leaving the scene of an accident, c. knowingly permits an unlicensed operator to drive, d. violating a municipal ordinance and e. driving without a license, among others.

Under the new law, endangerment of a highway worker would result in a fine of up to $1,000. The offender would also earn eight points toward losing their driver’s license. Aggravated endangerment of a highway worker is only applicable if a death or injury results. Then the offender would be seeing fines up to $5,000 for an injury and up to $10,000 if the worker was killed. An additional penalty of 12 points would be assessed to the person’s driver’s license.