Distracted driving law making an impact in Missouri, report finds

By Jenna Wilson

A recent report showed distracted driving fell in four states, including Missouri, after the implementation of hands-free laws.

In a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association, a nonprofit organization representing state highway safety offices, an analysis of cell phone data from Alabama, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio found that hands-free laws made a positive impact.

Hands-free laws limit telephone use while behind the wheel. In Missouri, the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law, which took effect Aug. 28, 2023, means drivers cannot use their phones while driving. Calls can only be made if drivers can do so hands-free or through a voice-operated feature. Since the law was put in place, law enforcement has been cracking down on the amount of distracted driving happening on the road.

“A distracted driver is just as dangerous as a drowsy or impaired driver,” said Sgt. James Tonn with the St. Joseph Police Department. “All of our law enforcement agencies have been strict when it comes to drivers using their cell phones and doing other things that may cause distraction when they should be paying attention to the road. It’s continuing to put innocent people’s lives at risk and we can’t have that happening.”

Distracted driving caused 12,405 fatalities in 2021, according to an estimate from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

After Missouri enacted its hands-free distracted driving law in August 2023, distraction rates went down 7.8%, according to a study, and prevented an estimated 450 car crashes, two fatalities, 250 injuries and $18 million in economic damages.

“If everyone could remember to buckle up, keep your eyes on the road and follow all traffic laws, yes, we could reduce these economic costs but more importantly, we will protect everyone that gets behind the wheel each day,” Tonn said.