By James B. Bartle
A new texting while driving law went into effect in the state of Missouri on Aug. 28. The law restricts those 21 years or younger from texting on their cell phone when behind the wheel.
Missouri Senator Ryan McKenna, D-Crystal City, was the bills original sponsor in the senate in which it received a 32-2 approval vote. McKenna’s original bill was a complete ban for all ages when behind a motor vehicle; but when it made it to the Missouri House, the bill was altered to be 21 years and younger and attached to another crime bill.
McKenna stated to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, “I think it’s an epidemic in this country,” regarding texting while driving.
McKenna, who was upset that the bill only restricts 21 and younger drivers and not everyone, has vowed to try again next year to make it a ban for all ages.
Some 22 states have banned some sort of cell phone/texting laws while behind the wheel.
This new law prompted the Independent News to speak with Sullivan police captain, Vernon Zelch, regarding the enforcement of the law in Sullivan.
“This is going to be a tough law to enforce,” said Zelch. “When we do accident reports, we have a block space to mark whether a cell phone was a contributing factor, but to observe someone 21 and younger texting on their phone while driving is going to be tough.”
Some of the many issues with the law is: How does an officer know that the individual is 21 or younger and texting without a traffic stop? How do you determine if they were texting or just dialing a phone number?
“I think this is one step to seeing the state ban cell phones while driving,” said Zelch.
The fine for texting while driving includes a fine up to $200 and the assessment on points against an individual’s driver’s license.