ST. LOUIS - Drivers in Missouri will be set to new standards as Missouri’s hands-free driving law went into effect Monday, making the Show-Me state the 49th with such a law.
Missouri's new law, SB398, prohibits drivers from using any electronic device while behind the wheel of car, prohibiting texting, recording or making a phone call while driving. However, the use of hands-free options like Bluetooth, is still legal.
"Missouri had one of the weakest distracted driver laws in the book," said Nick Chabarria, AAA Missouri Public Affairs on Total Information A.M., "This law will let Missouri catch up with 28 other states that also have hands-free laws."
However, law enforcement can only hand out warnings to drivers on their phones until January 2025 and drivers can only be ticketed if they were pulled over for another other traffic violation, likely speeding.
"The law is secondary enforcement, similar to (the state's) seatbelt law," said Chabarria, "You can't get pulled over just for violating that law, the officer has so see you violate another law."
Despite that Chabarria says the law makes it more easier for officers to enforce the laws.
"Missouri's old law says it was only illegal to text and drive," said Chabarria, "Of course, it's difficult to determine if someone is texting or using their maps or something like that. This law clearly spells it out."
Originally the old law only applied to drivers under-21 years of age, but now this will apply to drivers of all ages.
Fines range from up to $150 for the first conviction to a maximum $500 for the third conviction.
Drivers can face criminal charges for crashes that result in property damage, injury or death, according to MoDOT. However, it is still legal to use your phone to report a crime, medical emergency or crash.