WPBN: Residents and visitors are being reminded by the Kirksville Police Department that drivers in Missouri may receive a citation and punishment for holding or using a cellphone while driving as of January 1, 2025.
Missouri’s new law, officially called as the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law, which was intended to improve road safety by lowering the number of distracted driving events, is currently in its enforcement phase.
All drivers are prohibited by law from using their cellphones or other wireless communication devices while operating a motor vehicle. In particular, drivers are not permitted to physically hold, type, or scroll on such devices.
Activities like watching, recording, uploading, transmitting, or broadcasting videos or movies are all prohibited. Popular social media activity and utilizing the gadget for other purposes that could divert the driver’s attention from the road are examples of this.
The law allows the use of hands-free features for navigation and communication, but it prohibits the manual operation of gadgets. It is advised that drivers make advantage of features like speakerphone capabilities, Bluetooth connectivity, and talk-to-text capabilities.
By using these techniques, drivers can communicate or access navigation features without holding a gadget in their hands, making driving safer. Drivers are advised to prioritize safe driving practices and maintain attention even when using hands-free technologies.
The legislation does have several exceptions. When reporting crises, such as calling the police, fire department, or emergency medical personnel, drivers may use their devices manually. Furthermore, when carrying out their official responsibilities, law enforcement personnel are not subject to the limitations.
The hands-free law is regarded as a supplementary enforcement instrument, which is significant. This implies that a driver cannot be stopped by police for breaking the hands-free law alone.
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However, an officer may issue a citation for the hands-free violation in addition to the primary traffic infraction if they witness a driver engaging in another traffic violation, like speeding or swerving, while also displaying a smartphone.
In August 2023, Missouri’s Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law became formally operative. To encourage voluntary compliance and educate the public about the new rule, the state introduced a 16-month grace period during which law enforcement officials could only issue warnings.
The last day of that grace period is December 31, 2024. Drivers found in violation of the statute will start receiving tickets from law enforcement on January 1, 2025.
Depending on the specifics and frequency of infractions, different penalties apply for violations of the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law. A punishment of up to $150 is imposed for a first offense.
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Fines for drivers who commit the same infractions twice in a two-year span can reach $500.
If offenses have more serious repercussions, there may be further sanctions. For example, depending on the seriousness of the occurrence, a driver may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony if their use of a telephone causes a collision that results in serious property damage, injuries, or fatalities.
Missouri’s dedication to lowering distracted driving and improving road safety for all users is demonstrated by the manner this law is being implemented.
In order to avoid fines and, more significantly, to protect their own and other people’s safety, drivers are advised to follow the new rules, adopt hands-free driving techniques, and maintain their attention on the road.
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