As of yesterday, Missouri law enforcement has begun ticketing drivers using their phones while driving. This is part of a new effort mandated by the Siddens Bening Hands-Free law, which stipulates that drivers must keep both hands on the wheel. The legislation, having been in effect since August 2023, will now see full enforcement of its terms.
According to KSDK, the new rule seeks to prevent distracted driving incidents like those that tragically took the lives of Randall Siddens and Michael Bening. In light of these events, the families of Siddens and Bening championed the hands-free driving initiative. “Telling people how earth-shattering something as simple as checking a text can be and video chatting, all of that," Adrienne Siddens told KSDK. "That just kind of makes people stop and think that you know, like okay, when they do go to pick up their phone, they think about Randall and the fact that our three kids no longer have a dad."
A study quoted by First Alert 4 reveals the law's positive impact in its initial year, citing a 5% reduction in distracted driving and an estimated five lives saved. The economic benefit is also notable, with AAA estimating a prevention of $22 million in economic damage thanks to this law.
Under the law, using a phone behind the wheel is a secondary violation. "That is challenging at times because a lot of times, we might see someone that's on the phone as they passed by, and you can tell that they're scrolling or texting or typing," Cpl. Dallas Thompson with the Missouri State Highway Patrol explained in a statement obtained by KSDK. "So we kind of watch and observe and if we're not seeing that traffic violation, where they are weaving, speeding or doing anything else, we can't just stop and talk to them about that."
Enforcement of the Siddens Bening Hands-Free law may result in tickets starting at $150 for a first offense and escalating up to $500 for a third offense. Should distracted driving result in fatalities, offenders could face up to seven years in prison. Stephany Bening expressed her hopes to KY3, stating, "The number one thing for me is for people to not have to walk through my kids, and I have walked through."
