Missouri’s law banning the use of cell phones while driving is already cutting down on the number of texting-while-driving incidents, even though enforcement of the law has not started yet. Nick Chabarria of AAA Missouri auto club said data collected by a Massachusetts-based company shows that real-time phone usage by Missouri drivers dropped by just over 5%.
“Even more remarkably, Cambridge Mobile estimates that 660 injuries (have been) prevented, and more importantly, five lives have been saved just in the last year,” Chabarria told Missourinet. “That results in nearly $22 million in economic damages when you’re talking about societal costs for traffic crashes and traffic fatality.”
Missouri’s ban on texting-while-driving, officially called the “Siddens Bening Hands Free Law,” took effect in August of 2023. Police, deputies, and state troopers will begin enforcing the hands-free law January 1st. After that, anyone who talks or texts on their phone while driving could get a ticket and a hefty fine. Still, the new law is a secondary enforcement law.
“You cannot be pulled over just for being on your phone while behind the wheel,” Chabarria said. “An officer has to see you commit some other traffic violation, like weaving lane lines or crossing lane lines, speeding, not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, things like that.”
Fines start at $150 for the first offense and can reach up to $500 for repeat offenders. Enhanced penalties are also included for using your phone while driving through a work zone with workers present, a school zone during school hours, and causing an accident that results in injury or death.
Other provisions include drivers who are pulled over having the right to deny an officer permission to search their device, barring officers from using the law to racially profile drivers, and warrants to seize a driver’s cell phone or device can only be granted in the event of a traffic crash with injuries or death.
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