October 2, 1970

Honorable Arlie H. Meyer
State Representative District 105
234 Thomas
St. Charles, Missouri 63301

Dear Representative Meyer:

This letter is in response to your request for an opinion concerning an interpretation of Section 304.120, RSMo 1969.

We understand that your question is whether a city limits sign must be posted with the speed limit sign required by Section 304.120, RSMo 1969.

Section 304.120 states in part:

"Municipalities, by ordinance, may establish reasonable speed regulations for motor vehicles within the limits of such municipalities. No person.who is not a resident of such municipality and who has not been within the limits thereof for a continuous period of more than forty-eight hours, shall be convicted of a violation of such ordinances, unless it is shown by coppetent evidence that there was posted at the place where the boundary of such municipality joins or crosses any highway a sign displaying in black letters not less than four inches high and one inch wide on a white background the speed fixed by such municipality so that such sign may be clearly seen by operators and drivers from their vehicles upon entering such municipality."

In our view this section requires only that a sign indicating the municipality's speed limit be placed at such boundary and it does not require that the boundary itself be identified. However, in view of modern traffic conditions, it would appear prudent and a courtesy to the motorist to identify the municipality on the sign designating the speed limit at the boundaries of such municipality.

Very truly yours,

John C. Danforth
Attorney General