Highway patrol reminds drivers to put phones down ahead of Easter travel

By Harry Loomis

While Easter Sunday is not the biggest travel holiday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is still expecting highways to be busy in the coming days as many head home to celebrate with family.

Through nearly three full months in 2024, highway fatalities have been on the rise in Missouri, with speeding continuing to be a major issue.

“Statewide right now, we’re up 6%,” said Sgt. Shane Hux of the highway patrol. “Our fatalities here at Troop H, we are down. Speed continues to be the No. 1 contributing circumstance whenever it comes to motor vehicle crashes.”

Another issue Hux points to this year has been distracted driving, specifically related to cell phones. This is the first year in Missouri where drivers are not allowed to hold their phones while driving.

While citations won’t start being handed out until 2025, law enforcement is using this year to educate the public, reminding them to keep their hands off of their phones while driving so they can focus more on the road ahead.

“It’s kind of like the seatbelt law in the state of Missouri,” Hux said. “Now, if we observe you speeding and we see that you’re on your phone, then yes, we will give you a verbal warning at that time. And that will continue until Jan. 1 of 2025.”

Hux said the highway patrol is educating the public on the phone law in a variety of ways to ensure that everyone is fully aware when 2025 comes around.

“Through multiple media outlets, radio stations, TV stations, also our social media,” Hux said. “Just when we’re out in public communicating with the motoring public.”