To improve traffic safety by discouraging the use of traffic signal preemption transmitters.

March 3, 2005

Mr. ROGERS of Michigan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

To improve traffic safety by discouraging the use of traffic signal preemption transmitters.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Safe Intersections Act of 2005'.

SEC. 2. SAFE INTERSECTIONS.

(a) In General- Chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`Sec. 39. Traffic signal preemption transmitters

`(a) Offenses-

`(1) SALE- A person who knowingly sells a traffic signal preemption transmitter in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce to a person who is not acting on behalf of a public agency or private corporation authorized by law to provide fire protection, law enforcement, emergency medical services, transit services, maintenance, or other services for a Federal, State, or local government entity, shall, notwithstanding section 3571(b) of title 18, United States Code, be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

`(2) USE- A person who makes unauthorized use of a traffic signal preemption transmitter in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce shall be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.

`(b) Definitions- In this section, the following definitions apply:

`(1) TRAFFIC SIGNAL PREEMPTION TRANSMITTER- The term `traffic signal preemption transmitter' means any mechanism that can change or alter a traffic signal's phase time or sequence.

`(2) UNAUTHORIZED USE- The term `unauthorized use' means use of a traffic signal preemption transmitter by a person who is not acting on behalf of a public agency or private corporation authorized by law to provide fire protection, law enforcement, emergency medical services, transit services, maintenance, or other services for a Federal, State, or local government entity. The term `unauthorized use' does not apply to use of a traffic signal preemption transmitter for classroom or instructional purposes.'.

(b) Chapter Analysis- The chapter analysis for chapter 2 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:

`39. Traffic signal preemption transmitters.'.

END