Buckle Up Phone Down day encourages residents to follow new hands-free driving law

COLUMBIA, MO. (KMIZ)

Several agencies held a press conference on Wednesday at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Headquarters in Jefferson City with the goal of encouraging residents to follow the new hands-free driving law.

"Buckle Down Phone Up Day" included members from Missouri Department of Transportation, State Highway Patrol, AAA and local safety advocates.

The consequences of distracted driving was the main topic and those in attendance heard from from Adrienne Siddens, who spoke about her husband, who died after being hit by a driver who was on her phone in 2019.

"It doesn't get easier sharing our story. And sometimes I feel a little bit like a broken record, but I think it's so important to me. I hope I'm reaching somebody new every time," Siddens said.

Last year, more than half the fatal accidents in Missouri were a result of distracted driving. And almost two-thirds of those who died in Missouri crashed were not wearing seat belts.

"You don't have to drive around much to see someone who's got there phone out whether their texting, calling, surfing the internet, looking at social media," MSHP spokesman Cpt. John Hotz said. "Anytime they're doing that, of course, it's taking away from their primary job which is operating a vehicle."

Missouri's new hands-free driving law went into effect Aug. 23, but there is a grace period where officers will be handing out warnings instead of tickets until Jan. 1, 2025. The law essentially makes it illegal for drivers to hold their phones while driving.

ABC 17 News previously reported that those caught violating the hands-free law, the lowest penalty is a fine of up to $150. If you have prior convictions, the fine rises to between $250 and $500, depending on the number of convictions. The penalties are greater for work zones and school zones.

The punishments also rise if the use of a phone while driving leads to property damage, injury or death. If more than $5,000 in property damage is caused, the driver will be charged with a class D misdemeanor. If serious physical injury is caused, the charges go up to a class B misdemeanor. If someone dies as a result of a violation of the hands-free law, the driver will be charged with a class D felony. Commercial vehicle drivers could also lose their CDL.