Missouri recently passed a new distracted driving law prohibiting drivers from using handheld electronic devices while driving. Driver phone use has reportedly decreased substantially since the law took effect, leading to fewer accidents and traffic fatalities statewide.
Overview of the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law
Missouri’s new Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law aims to reduce distracted driving by prohibiting motorists from holding or manually operating electronic devices while driving. Under this law, drivers cannot physically hold or support any electronic communication device with any part of their body while driving. The law also bans drivers from sending, reading, or writing text-based messages, including emails, social media posts, and instant messages.
The law permits drivers to use voice-operated and hands-free functions to communicate without using their hands, provided they do not divert attention from the road. However, drivers may not watch videos, enter data into websites, or record or broadcast video while driving.
Exceptions to the New Law’s Hands-Free Requirements
The new law includes several exceptions that allow drivers to use electronic devices in specific situations. Law enforcement officers and emergency vehicle operators can use handheld communication devices while performing their official duties. Drivers can also use handheld devices to report emergencies and communicate with emergency personnel during those situations.
Drivers of noncommercial motor vehicles may use hands-free or voice-operated features without violating the law as long as they keep their focus on the road. Other exceptions apply to using handheld devices when a vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped, accessing navigation or audio features, and relaying information between transit operators and dispatchers.
Enforcement and Penalties
First-time violations of the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law can result in fines of up to $150. If a driver commits another violation within 24 months, the fine can increase to $250. Drivers with two or more convictions in the same period could pay up to $500.
The law imposes higher penalties for violations in work zones or school zones, with fines reaching $500. If a violation causes more than $5,000 in property damage, the driver faces a class D misdemeanor charge. If a violation leads to serious physical injury, the charge escalates to a class B misdemeanor. If the violation results in death, the driver can face class D felony charges.
Until January 1, 2025, law enforcement will only issue warnings. After that date, officers will begin issuing citations for violations. The law also clarifies that violations are secondary offenses, meaning officers cannot stop, inspect, or detain drivers solely for using handheld electronic devices. There must be another reason, such as a different moving violation, before an officer can stop someone for a hands-free law violation.
The Impact of the Law One Year Later
Recent news reports indicate that Missouri has already seen positive results one year after the new hands-free law’s passage. Distracted driving involving phone use has reportedly decreased by 8 percent statewide, according to data from Cambridge Mobile Telematics. Researchers estimate this reduction has prevented more than 450 crashes and saved at least two lives so far. Although police can only issue warnings until 2025, the drop in phone use suggests drivers are already starting to change their behavior.
Contact a Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Now
If a distracted driver caused an accident that injured you in Missouri, you could be entitled to compensation. The team at Ryan R. Cox & Associates, LLC, can help you demand the financial recovery you deserve. We offer free consultations to discuss your case and explore your legal options. Call us at (636) 946-6886 to get started.