Missouri’s ‘Hands-Free’ to be enforced in new year

By Jenna Wilson

Starting in 2025, drivers caught violating Missouri’s “Hands-Free” phone law could face fines and tickets.

Agencies across the state are reminding drivers that the law will become enforceable beginning on Jan. 1.

Tickets and fines could be coming your way if you hold your phone while driving, and state law enforcement agencies are working to educate the public about the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law, which took effect on Aug. 28, 2023.

“We have just been educating the motoring public as of now,” said Sgt. Shane Hux with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “That will soon change and we’re going to start taking enforcement action by the way of traffic citation rather than the warnings that we’ve been giving up until this point.”

The law prohibits holding your phone while driving for talking, texting and watching or recording videos. Drivers still can use navigation or hands-free devices and tools such as Bluetooth.

Fines for first-time offenders will start at $150 and can increase to $500 for repeat violations.

“The second offense is $250 and third and subsequent offenses are up to $500 fines,” Hux added. “More importantly, if you’re involved in a traffic crash where someone is seriously injured or killed, a criminal charge will be given at that time.”

Since the law took effect, more than 1,000 crashes, 600 injuries and five fatalities have been avoided along with a reduction of $22 million in economic damage, according to AAA Missouri.