Missouri House bill would uncap fines and increase definition of endangering a highway worker

A bill in the Missouri House would authorize higher fines for endangering highway workers. 

It would also expand the definition of endangerment to include striking a vehicle, trailer, or other equipment owned by Mo-DOT, a contractor, or a subcontractor. 

Mo-DOT director Patrick McKenna says working on Missouri’s roadways is very dangerous: 

“It’s one of the things that I think a lot of people don’t understand is the sacrifice that’s been paid for, the ultimate sacrifice in our history which is just over 100 years. We’ve lost 139 of MoDOT workers in the line of duty.” 

Currently, someone convicted of endangering a highway worker without injury can be fined no more than a thousand dollars, and no more than 5-thousand dollars if a highway worker is killed or injured. 

The bill would remove those caps and allow for higher fines. A hearing has not yet been scheduled.