In an attempt to end distracted driving, Missouri lawmakers have put in place a new law. Aug. 28, the ‘Hands-Free Law’ was passed that stated that any driver using their cellphone while the car is moving will be penalized. Drivers cannot hold or have their phone supported on any part of their body while operating a motor vehicle, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation.
“It’s a good way to limit distracted driving and accidents that occur,” senior Clarissa Davis said. “It could be a bad thing with people trying to hide their phone and instead increasing distraction.”
For the next year Missouri drivers are under what’s being called a warning-only period to help set in motion the new law. Drivers will be let off with warnings from law-enforcement officers if caught with their phone while driving, instead of receiving a citation.
“When they see my car, they put their phone down.” Sergeant Andy Bell said on the matter. Sergeant Bell said that since the new law went into effect, people are more cautious when they see law enforcement vehicles.
When the law takes full effect, law-enforcement will issue citations. For the first offense, the driver will be given up to a $150 fine. The second, up to a $250 dollar fine. One of the most severe punishment is a class D misdemeanor if the driver caused damage up to five thousand dollars to property while on their phone according to the Missouri Revisor of Statutes chapter 304.
“It’s going to take about a year to show positive or even negative results.” Sergeant Bell said.
“I believe it’s a fair policy because it’s already dangerous to look at your phone,” junior Jacob Dohrman said. “If you get caught it should be more and more every citation.”
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, from 2014 to 2018, cell phone related crashes have increased in Missouri by 31%. Missouri reported about 200,000 distracted driving crashes between 2012 and 2021.
