Missouri State Highway Patrol New Year’s counting period starts Tuesday

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As holiday events are wrapping up, the new year is right around the corner and the Missouri State Highway Patrol is closing out 2024 with its annual New Year's holiday counting period.

The counting period will start at 6 p.m. Dec. 31, and end at 11:59 p.m. Jan. 1. According to a press release from the Highway Patrol, there were 821 traffic crashes during last year's counting period, resulting in 293 injuries and nine deaths across the state.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol tells drivers to have a designated driver and use ride-share services if they plan on drinking during New Year's Eve.

Breakthru Beverage Missouri announced that the company was teaming up with Absolut Vodka, offering 500 free rides in St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia and Springfield for New Year's. This offer is available from 2 p.m. Dec. 31 through 2 a.m. Jan. 1.

The counting period also overlaps with the enforcement of Senate Bill 398, known as the Siddens Bening Hands Free Law, which bans using handheld devices while driving. The law went into effect on Aug. 28, 2023, but included a grace period where law enforcement can only give warnings rather than tickets.

Missouri's hands-free driving law goes into effect Jan 1. After that date, the law will be secondary enforcement, meaning you cannot get pulled over just for being on your phone, but if you're pulled over for something else an officer can ticket you for using your phone.

Any driver holding a cellphone in their hand while driving can be fined, even if it's for directions or taking a call. A crash caused by distracted driving including serious damage, injury or death can be considered a felony.

Drivers will still be able to use hands-free features, like voice commands or built-in hands-free car systems.

According to MoDOT, 106 people in the state were killed in distracted driving crashes last year.