Nearly 250 citations issued across Missouri for hands free law since Jan. 1
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Records obtained by ABC 17 News show nearly 250 people have been issued citations by the Missouri State Highway Patrol since citations began for Missouri's hands-free law which went into effect just under two months ago.
The law, known as the Siddens Bening Hands Free law makes it illegal for drivers to use hand-held cell phones while driving, with very few exceptions. The statue was signed into law in August 2023, but included a 16-month grace period, meaning people could not be cited or given a warning.
Records obtained by ABC 17 News on Tuesday show MSHP has issued 244 citations to people across the state since the law took effect. It also shows that 242 people have also received warnings.
The largest amount of citations were issued by Troop C, who cited 84 people.
Troop F -- which covers much of Mid-Missouri -- has issued eight citations for noncommercial vehicles and one citation for commercial vehicles.
Records also show 37 warnings have been issued to drivers by Troop F.
"I think enforcement is certainly an importance piece," AAA spokesman Nick Chabarria said. "However, that's just one component... We know that public education and outreach about the new law and why it's so important.. is kind of really the primary driver of what we advocated for when we advocated for this law a couple of years ago."
Under the law, it is illegal for drivers to to hold or support a cellphone or electronic communication device in their hand, lap or other parts of the body while driving on Missouri roads.
Drivers who continue to do so can face the following penalties:
- First conviction in two years: Up to a $150 fine;
- Second conviction in two years: Up to a $250 fine;
- Three or more convictions in two years: Up to a $500 fine;
- If a violation occurs in a school or work zone, fines up to $500;
- If a violation occurs and causes a serious injury crash, up to six months in jail and/or fines up to $1,000;
- If a violation occurs and causes a fatal crash, up to seven years in prison.
MSHP spokesman Kyle Green says troopers have to have a different reason for pulling someone over, such as speeding, lane violations, or following too closely.
They then have the ability to fine, or cite a person who was seen using their cell phone.
Green said overall fatalities in the state are down 3% since troopers began enforcing the law. Green said while he's hopeful that trend continues, it's hard to tell the impact right now due to severe winter weather the state has recently been hit with.
"When we have significant weather events such as snow and ice, we become pretty much a reactive type service and that means that we are responding from one crash to another," Green said. "So, when you do that, a lot of your enforcement time that is normally spent gets redistributed to those reactive type calls."
Data from Cambridge Mobile Telematics shows more than 1,000 crashes were prevented between August 2023-August 2024, before the law began being enforced.
Distracted driving in Missouri was also down 5.1%, as 660 injuries and five fatalities were avoided during the same time period, data shows. Advocates for the law say this is an indication that the law will likely lead to safer roads across the state.
"You know, we've already seen the positive impacts of people getting the message that being on your phone while you're behind the wheel is not safe," Chabarria said.
Records also indicate a person received a citation from Troop F in a fatal crash. Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson told ABC 17 News the prosecutor's office received a referral from MSHP about a fatal crash on Highway 63 and Breedlove Drive from Jan. 23.
Previous reporting shows a 39-year-old Moberly woman was killed in a crash in that area on the same day. Johnson said his office is still reviewing the case. Another fatal crash occurred up the road hours before.
