Fact Finders: Can tow trucks run red lights in Missouri?

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – A viewer named Donna asked KY3’s Fact Finders whether it is legal for tow trucks with emergency lights to run through a red light. The answer is yes, but with conditions.

Missouri law states that any wrecker or tow truck may proceed past a red stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as necessary for safe operation.

What the law requires

Three conditions must be met for a tow truck driver to proceed through a red light legally: the driver must be responding to an emergency call, must slow down or stop to confirm the intersection can be crossed safely, and must have at least one lighted lamp displaying a red light visible from 500 feet to the front of the vehicle while also sounding an audible signal such as a siren or bell.

Terry Harden of Terry’s Towing said tow truck drivers can legally be treated the same as other emergency vehicles.

“You really could be treated just like a police car, fire truck, ambulance,” Harden said.

Not every call warrants running a red light

Harden said he uses judgment when deciding whether to exercise that legal right.

“If you call me for a jump start, don’t mean I’m going to run red lights and sirens to get to your jump start,” Harden said.

Dispatchers sometimes instruct drivers to respond quickly to emergency crash scenes, Harden said.

“They want you to be there faster than fast. It says, expedite, expedite. And that’s fine. I will expedite it,” Harden said.

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