West Plains, MO. – Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed a bill last week making Missouri the 49th state to ban texting while driving. The bill is Senate Bill 398 and was signed by Gov. Parson along with 30 other bills on July 6, 2023.
SB 398 enacts provisions relating to motor vehicles. Among the provisions are Sections 304.820 and 304.822. These sections cover the use of electronic devices and modify how they can be used while driving.
The act creates the “Siddens Bening Hands Free Law”, which prohibits a number of uses of electronic communication devices while operating motor vehicles, as well as provides exceptions.
Simply put, the act bans texting and most other uses of cell phones while driving. The law appears to allow hands-free and voice-operated use of the device but any text, scrolling, pushing buttons to answer the device, etc. will be banned.
Additionally, any vehicular accidents that involve distracted driving due to using a cell phone could get misdemeanor or felony charges.
While the law goes into effect on August 28, law enforcement are to only give warnings about electronic device use while driving through the end of 2024. Beginning on January 1, 2025, law enforcement can give drivers a $150 citation for the first offense. The second offense is a $250 and the third and beyond offenses are $500.
Exceptions in the law exist for calling 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency, in the case of reporting a crime, for devices used between a for-hire operator and dispatcher through a permanently affixed device, and for law enforcement and emergency medical personnel that use such devices as part of their job.
Other parts of the law ban people from watching videos while driving, record, send, broadcast, or be part of a video conference while driving.
For the full language of the bill, follow this link.
