Missouri is one of nine states without a law that requires at least some drivers to use only hands-free mobile phones, and it is one of only two states that allows motorists 21 years of age or older to text and drive. This is worrying because distracted driving kills nine road users each day according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and studies suggest that about 90% of drivers use electronic devices while behind the wheel. This kind of behavior is often blamed on young people, but the data reveals that almost three-quarters of the drivers who engage in it are at least 22 years of age.
Surge in cellphone-related accidents
The Missouri Coalition for Road Safety is a partnership of road safety advocates that has called for a cellphone ban for drivers. After scrutinizing data from agencies and organizations including the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Governors Highway Safety Association, the group discovered that the number of cellphone-related crashes in the state rose by a worrying 31% between 2014 and 2018.
Safer roads
The advocacy group also points out that 12 of the 15 states that passed a law banning the use of handheld electronic devices while behind the wheel had a noticeable reduction in motor vehicle accident deaths within two years. In six states and the District of Columbia, the drop in fatalities was greater than 20%. Results like these have prompted lawmakers in Missouri to take action and draft bills that would ban texting and driving and the use of handheld cellphones. Illinois already has such a law on the books and enforces it rigorously.
An underreported problem
While distracted driving statistics may be worrying, experts say the true death toll could be much higher because distraction leaves no telltale clues behind for accident investigators. This can also make proving distraction challenging for accident victims who pursue personal injury lawsuits. Evidence that could be used to demonstrate that a driver was using a cellphone when they crashed or took no evasive action to avoid an accident includes wireless service records and the information stored on automobile data recorders.