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Accident Injury Lawyers in Kansas City: Will Texting While Driving Become Illegal in Missouri?

Many experts believe that distracted driving is a greater safety threat to Missouri drivers than drunk driving. In 2009, texting while driving was made illegal in Missouri for drivers under the age of 22. Now, the Missouri House of Representatives is considering legislation that would make texting while driving illegal for everyone. The MO House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee has heard several bills that will criminalize texting while driving, regardless of the driver's age.

In two of these bills texting is a primary traffic offense. These bills would allow a police officer to stop a driver who is texting with no other cause. A third bill makes texting a secondary offense which would allow a police officer to ticket the driver texting, but would require that the driver commit another traffic infraction in order to be pulled over.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol supports making driving while texting a primary offense. In 2010, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, wrote 66 distracted driving tickets. But, there were 791 car accidents related to the use of cell phones in the first half of 2010, which resulted in eight deaths and 239 injuries. Police officers believe that banning texting will save lives. In July, Missouri police officers launched a campaign urging drivers to refrain from texting while behind the wheel.

There are 30 states which ban texting while driving for all drivers. Eight other states, including Missouri, prohibit some drivers from texting while driving.

Overview of the proposed legislation:

Senate Bill 11: This bill would extend the ban on text messaging for drivers under 22 to all drivers. Hands-free texting would be allowed. This bill would also allow communities to craft distracted driving legislation as long as it is not more restrictive than the state law.

House Bill 93: This bill would extend the ban on text messaging for drivers under 22 to all drivers.

HB 317: This bill would make text messaging illegal for Missouri drivers, regardless of age.

HB 337: This bill would ban text messaging for all drivers in Missouri, but would allow operation of hands-free devices.

Every distracted driving death is a death is a death that could have been prevented. If you have lost a loved one to a distracted driver, contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 888-348-2616. Our accident injury lawyers in Kansas City offer a free consultation to families of distracted driving victims. Learn about your rights and possible compensation.

For more information about the rights of MO injury victims, download our free guide: "10 Essential Steps You Must Take To Protect Your Injury Claim."

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