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No Emergency Intervention Legislation

September 2, 1997
By: Tristin Yeager
State Capital Bureau

In the wake of Princess Diana's fatal car crash, the issue of legislation of public intervention in emergency situations has drawn attention. From the state capital, Tristin Yeager examines Missouri law.

Story:traffic
RunTime: 1:08.116
OutCue: SOC

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol almost 200,000 traffic accidents occurred on Missouri highways in 1996.

Unlike France, Missouri imposes no legal obligation for an outsider to provide assistance or notify authorities about a traffic accident.

So far, there's been no legislative proposal to require bystander help or assistance. However, Chris Sifford, Governor Carnahan's chief spokesman says Carnahan would be willing to consider intervention legislation:


Actuality:chris
RunTime: 12.566
OutCue: "...us passing a law."
Contents: The governor would consider emergency intervention legislation but says, for now, relying on individual's good sense is adequate.

There is one huge exception concerning accident notification -- if you're personally involved in an accident -- you must contact the authorities.

Otherwise, you'd be committing the crime of leaving the scene of an accident.

soc