A new Missouri law went into effect on August 28 that will penalize all drivers for using their cell phones while their vehicle is moving. Missouri is the 49th state to institute a law prohibiting drivers from holding their phones while driving. The state already had distracted driving laws in place banning CDL drivers from using hand-held phones for calls and texting while driving.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says inattention is a leading cause of collisions. Between 2012 and 2021, there were nearly 200,000 distracted driving-related crashes in Missouri, with more than 800 fatalities, according to the Missouri Coalition for Road Safety.
Texting while driving is a secondary offense — meaning police officers can’t pull a driver over simply for using a cell phone, but it can be added to other citations.
Law enforcement will issue warnings until 2025. Then, citations will cost up to $150 for the first offense, $250 for the second violation in 24 months and $500 for the third. Fines can cost up to $500 for the first offense if the driver is in a construction or school zone.
The law prohibits holding a cell phone, except when stopped. Drivers may use hands-free technology, like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, headsets and technology built into the car.
Ed Harper, MFA Oil vice president of enterprise risk management, reminds employees that company policy prohibits the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving.
“Safety should come before all other concerns when you are driving,” Harper says.