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United States Code Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

§ 39. Traffic signal preemption transmitters

§ 39.

Traffic signal preemption transmitters

(a)

Offenses.—

(1)
Sale.—

Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, knowingly sells a traffic signal preemption transmitter to a nonqualifying user shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

(2)
Use.—

Whoever, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, being a nonqualifying user makes unauthorized use of a traffic signal preemption transmitter shall be fined under this title, or 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)
Nonqualifying user.—

The term “nonqualifying user” means a person who uses a traffic signal preemption transmitter and 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, but does not include a person using a traffic signal preemption transmitter for classroom or instructional purposes.