Personal Injury Law

New texting ban takes effect

By Ryan Bradley, Esq.

A new law banning texting while driving will take effect today in Missouri. The law states that nobody under the age of 21 can send, receive or read a text message while they drive.

This law is aimed at preventing serious injury accidents caused by inattentiveness. A large number of car wrecks are caused by drivers simply not paying attention to the road. One of the most infamous incidents in the St. Louis area over the last couple years took place last summer when a tractor trailer driver plowed through a line of cars while allegedly reaching for his cell phone. This tragic incident killed three people and injured 15. Charges were filed earlier this year in relation to that crash.

This new law would not have affected that incident as the driver was over 21. While several other states have bans or partial bans on cell phone use or texting, only Missouri is restricting use by a particular age group.

The fine for violating this law is set at $200.

Full post as published by Missouri Accident Lawyer Blog on August 27, 2009 (boomark / email).