MSHP reminds drivers of hands-free law going into effect

ST. LOUIS – Beginning Jan. 1, Missouri drivers will no longer be allowed to use a handheld phone while driving.

Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law was originally signed in August 2023, but it included a 16-month penalty grace period. During that time, the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a number of warnings to drivers.

“We’ve been using it as an educational phase. We’ve issued about 1,400 warnings for violations,” Cpl. Dallas Thompson said. “Starting January, we are going to start issuing citations that will have court dates and fines assessed after that.”

The first conviction is a $150 fine. If you get a second one within two years, it goes up to $250. The third conviction in two years is a $500 fine.

If caught in a school or work zone, fines up to $500. That number spikes to $1,000 along with six months in jail if the violation causes a crash with serious injuries. If the crash is fatal due to the violation, that could be up to seven years in prison.

“Since the law took effect in August of 2023, real-time phone usage has dropped by about five percent, and that has prevented about one thousand crashes, 660 injuries, and, more importantly, is estimated to have saved five lives. We know these laws do have a positive impact,” Nick Chabarria, AAA spokesperson, said. “But it takes a commitment from everyone to put their phones down and silent while they're driving.”

AAA of Missouri is recommending drivers get phone holder accessories or Bluetooth-enabled devices, which will be allowed.

“Anything that is scrolling—swiping, typing—that's all going to be prohibited under the new law,” Chabarria added.