What is “STEER IT AND CLEAR IT?”
Missouri law requires that if you are in a motor vehicle traffic crash and there are no apparent serious personal injuries or death, and the vehicle is safe to drive, you must make every reasonable effort to move your vehicle to the shoulder as not to obstruct the regular flow of traffic. Simply put, if you can “Steer It, Clear It” – it’s the law.
Traffic Regulations Sections 304.151 and 304.155
Should I Move My Vehicle If I Am In A Crash?
YES. If you are ever in a minor car crash and no one is seriously injured, you should move your vehicle out of the way of traffic.
Police and insurance companies WILL NOT penalize you for moving your vehicle off the road after a crash with no serious injuries.
Why Is This My Responsibility?
By moving your vehicle out of the way, you will help:
- Keep yourself safer and reduce the possibility of additional damage to your vehicle
- Improve response and clearance times at crash scenes
- Reduce crash-related traffic congestion and delay
- Reduce secondary crashes
- Improve safety conditions for yourself as well as fire and rescue, police and other emergency responders
If you are involved in a minor incident, follow these FIVE steps:
1. ASSESS IT
Check for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately and wait for emergency responders. Provide location including the milepost number and types of injuries.
2. STEER IT AND CLEAR IT
Determine whether the vehicles are moveable. If so, move vehicles out of the travel lane to the nearest safe location.
3. AVOID IT
Once stopped and out of a travel lane, avoid walking into the travel lane while exiting your vehicle. Stay in your vehicle if you can with your seat belt fastened – you are safest inside your vehicle. If you must exit the vehicle, attempt to exit or approach the vehicle on the non-traffic side. If you are assisting at a crash, approach a vehicle from the non-traffic side. Protect yourself and your vehicle from further damage. Warn other drivers of danger with four-way flashers, flares, flashlight, etc.
4. NOTIFY IT
If there are no serious injuries, call your local non-emergency law enforcement number to report the incident. Give them your exact location and follow the dispatcher’s instructions.
Click for a list of non-emergency law enforcement numbers in Missouri
5. REPORT IT
Exchange driver, vehicle and insurance information. Report the incident as instructed by law enforcement and your insurance provider.
Click to download the “Steer It and Clear It” brochure for Motorist Information Exchange Cards