Although Missouri has had a texting-while-driving ban for all drivers for more than a year, police will begin issuing citations for violating the prohibition beginning on Jan. 1.
The end of a grace period on the 2023 hands-free law is among a handful of new laws going into effect as the calendar turns to 2025, including an increase in the minimum wage and new voting and tax policies affecting military veterans.
After cellphone usage behind the wheel became a leading cause of crashes in Missouri beginning in 2012, Gov. Mike Parson signed legislation in August 2023 that prohibits motorists from using a handheld electronic communication device while driving.
The law bars drivers from physically holding or supporting a cellphone with any part of their body; manually typing, writing, sending or reading text-based messages; recording, posting, sending or broadcasting video, including video calls and social media posts; and watching a video or movie.
Previously, the ban only affected drivers 21 or younger.
Rather than initiate an immediate crackdown, police officers were encouraged to inform drivers about the hands-free law instead of issuing a ticket during the grace period running up to Jan. 1.
A first offense is a $150 fine. It can rise to $500 if a motorist has repeat convictions within a two-year period.
The Missouri Department of Transportation has projected that the state is on target to have 987 traffic fatalities in 2024, which is down from last year and below the levels of the two previous years.
Distracted driving contributed to more than 100 deaths in 2023, and historically, more than half of the victims are someone other than the distracted driver, MoDOT said.
While the decrease may be linked to fewer distracted drivers because of the phone law, it also includes a rise in the number of death of motorcyclists following the repeal of Missouri’s all-rider helmet law in 2020.
Former MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna said the lack of a helmet law is a “step backwards” for traffic safety.
VETERANS HELP
Also taking effect Jan. 1 are two laws affecting military veterans.
Under one change, military service members who are on active duty in Missouri, as well as their nonresident spouses, will be able to serve as election judges.
In addition, the same new law allows military veterans to deduct from income taxes any signing bonuses they receive.
Current law already authorizes an income tax deduction for active and reserve members of the armed forces.