According to the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety website, law enforcement officers will start issuing citations for violations of the hands-free law Jan. 1. It’s officially illegal to hold or support a cell phone or electronic communication device in your hand, lap, or other parts of the body while driving on Missouri roads.
This does not include hands-free devices, such as using a speakerphone, connecting phones to vehicles, or using aftermarket Bluetooth devices. It’s recommended to use in-vehicle mounts to support a cell phone while driving and utilizing hands-free or voice-operated functions, such as voice-to-text or virtual assistants. In most cases, functions that cannot be activated, deactivated, or initiated with a single swipe or touch are in violation.
With very few exceptions, anything that involves typing, scrolling, holding, or supporting a device while driving is off-limits. In addition, the law prohibits watching movies/videos as well as recording, posting, sending, or broadcasting videos, even if the phone is securely mounted.
Prohibited use includes but is not limited to: manually dialing a phone number, texting, updating or browsing social media, facetime or video calls, browsing the internet, watching videos, playing games, or taking videos or photos.
• Drivers reporting an emergency or crime to law enforcement, fire department, hospital or similar emergency entity
• Drivers holding or using cell phones and other electronic devices while lawfully stopped or parked
• First responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency roadside service, public utility), using electronic devices as part of their official duties
• Commercial truck drivers using a mobile data terminal
• Transit, for-hire (taxis), or network company (rideshares) drivers provided that the device is mounted or affixed to the vehicle
• Drivers cannot be stopped solely for violation of the law
• 1st conviction in two years: up to a $150 fine
• 2nd conviction in two years: up to a $250 fine
• 3rd or more conviction in two years: up to a $500 fine
• If a violation occurs in a school or work zone, fines up to $500
• If a violation occurs and causes a serious injury crash, up to six months in jail and/or fines up to $1,000
• If a violation occurs and causes a fatal crash, up to seven years in prison
