Motorists Reminded Of New Hands Free Law Begins In Missouri Monday

The Missouri Department of Transportation reminds motorists that the Hands-Free Law becomes effective on August 28th.

The new law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld electronic communication device while driving. The National Safety Council reports that distracted driving related crashes in Missouri resulted in at least 801 fatalities between 2012-21 and totaled nearly 200,000 crashes. The National Safety Council also says cell phone use is responsible for far more distracted driving crashes than are being reported.

When the law takes effect next Monday, drivers are prohibited from physically holding or supporting a cell phone 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.