Distracted driving—operating a vehicle while juggling other activities that take your attention off the road—has become a major worry for road safety everywhere.
With our smartphones glued to our hands – a constant part of our lives – it’s no wonder the urge to stay connected while driving has skyrocketed. This has led to more and more distracted driving incidents globally, especially in the US.
The numbers are eye-opening; Forbes Advisor published the US distracted driving stats last year, and you’d be shocked to learn them. It revealed that over 3,000 people in the country lost their lives in road accidents caused by distracted driving every year.
It contributes a good 8-9% of all fatal road crashes in the US. In other words, 9 people die every single day due to someone’s (or their own) distracted driving behavior.
These crashes can be devastating, resulting in severe injuries, fatalities, and serious property damage, highlighting the urgent need to tackle this safety issue.
To address this growing problem, Missouri took a bold step by introducing the Hands-Free Law last year. This new law bans the use of handheld devices while driving, pushing for hands-free technology instead. The goal? To make the roads safer and cut down on the distractions that lead to accidents.
Below, we’ll take a look at what led to the introduction of the Hands-Free Law in Missouri, and the changes witnessed in its initial stage.
Rising Concerns and Incidents of Distracted Driving in Missouri
Distracted driving is a serious issue that affects the safety of everyone on the road, especially pedestrians. It’s become a major concern in Missouri, and for good reason. Let’s break down why this issue is so pressing.
First off, think about pedestrians. Distracted drivers can easily miss seeing someone crossing the street, waiting at a crosswalk, or simply walking along the side of the road. This leads to tragic consequences since pedestrians don’t have the protection that vehicles offer.
The result? More pedestrian fatalities and severe injuries. TorHoerman Law notes that nearly 24% of all fatal car accidents in Missouri take place in the St. Louis region.
Therefore, as a resident of St. Louis, you’re particularly vulnerable to being a victim in an accident caused by distracted driving, even as a pedestrian. Should you ever find yourself in such a position, you must seek justice for your suffering by pressing a car accident lawsuit against the culprit.
Knowing a car accident lawyer in St. Louis can be invaluable during such times. If you know someone or have a relative or friend who might, don’t waste time in reaching out to them.
Now, consider high-traffic areas. Urban congestion, with its constant flow of cars, significantly increases the chances of accidents when drivers are distracted. Intersections are particularly dangerous because they require drivers to be fully aware of traffic signals, stop signs, and other vehicles.
Workplaces and rush hours add another layer of risk. Drivers in a hurry to get to or leave work might try to multitask behind the wheel, compromising safety. Industrial zones, with heavy machinery and constant vehicle movement, demand even more attention. Distracted driving here can lead to serious accidents.
A news article published earlier this year highlighted the growing threat of road crashes in Missouri’s work zones. In 2023, a total of 35 people lost their lives in work zones, which was a record high for the Show-Me State. Work zone trucks – ones with mounted attenuators – recorded as many as 63 hits. Sophie Shulman, the NHTSA Deputy Administrator stated how most distracted drivers were either using social media or watching or recording videos.
When we look at these key areas, it’s clear that distracted driving is a threat to everyone, not just the drivers. Pedestrians and other vulnerable groups are particularly at risk in high-traffic and sensitive zones like school areas and urban intersections.
The Introduction of Hands-Free Law – Changes Witnessed
Missouri passed the Siddens Benning Hands-Free Law – a distracted driving law – through legislation on May 11, 2023. The law was named after two victims who lost their lives to distracted driving accidents – Randall Siddens and Michael Benning. It came into effect statewide on August 28, 2023.
The Hands-Free Law prohibits all distracted behaviors while driving, including texting, reading or sending messages, browsing the web, attending video calls, and making videos. The violation fines for this law range from $100-$500.
Ever since Missouri rolled out the Hands-Free Law, driving has seen some pretty noticeable changes. You can’t miss it—drivers everywhere are ditching their handheld phones for hands-free tech like Bluetooth systems, wearables, and voice-activated gadgets. It’s like everyone suddenly got the memo: keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
With fewer drivers getting distracted by their phones, the number of accidents has taken a nosedive. Fox2Now observes how the Show-Me State had the weakest laws for using smartphones while driving in the country. Following the implementation of the Siddens-Benning Law, roughly 450 road crashes have been prevented statewide.
Adrienne Siddens – wife of the late Randall Siddens – has been advocating for the law’s passing. Adrienne said she’s excited for “people to start grumbling about getting tickets” and believes that it would spawn more positive conversations about it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do all states within the US prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones while driving?
No. A total of 30 US states prohibit using hand-held cell phones while driving. The rest of 19 states only ban cell phone use by school bus drivers when children are present. Ohio is the only state that bans cell phone usage beyond the “one-swipe rule”.
Which cause is attributed to the highest number of fatal car accidents in the US?
Driving while intoxicated is the leading cause of fatal car accidents in the US. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol causes 10,000-13,000 car accidents every year, making impaired drivers a threat on the roads.
Which US state has the highest number of distracted driving accidents?
Forbes Advisor declared New Mexico to have the highest rate of fatal car accidents due to distracted driving. The state saw 139 collisions involving inattentive drivers in 2020. These collisions made up 38% of the statewide deadly accidents.
To sum it up, we can all agree that the introduction of the Siddens-Benning Hands-Free Law in Missouri was a necessity. The growing number of distracted driving-related accidents in the state raised a pressing concern, which was addressed by the law.
As awareness grows and enforcement strengthens, the Hands-Free Law promises to continue making strides in reducing accidents and saving lives on Missouri’s roads.
