Missouri lawmaker proposes statewide texting while driving ban

Missouri is one of six of states that allows adults to text and drive. The current law only prohibits drivers 21 or younger to text while behind the wheel.

State Senator David Pearce said he wants to change that and has pre-filed a bill to ban texting and driving for all ages.

Pearce sponsored a bill similar to this last session.

That bill and other distracted driving bills have failed to make it through the state legislature before. Pearce said he’s confident this session could be different.

“The intent is not to take your eye off the while you’re driving. That’s the part that causes distraction, that’s the part that causes wrecks,” said Pearce. “What is distraction? Making a phone call, dialing on your radio, smoking a cigarette. What is a distraction? Where do you draw the line? I think maybe the bills were too general. This is pretty simple, this is pretty basic. You just can’t text and drive.”

The Missouri Highway Patrol said distraction is the leading cause of crashes. More than 350 crashes that happened in Missouri during 2012 can be attributed to drivers who were texting.

Currently, if a driver 21 or younger is caught texting and driving in Missouri, they could be fined $20.50.