texting while driving

Missouri this year raised penalties for distracted drivers with its "hands free" law. The state has joined 29 other states and Washington, D.C., in banning phones behind the wheel.

Under a law that takes effect Monday, Missouri drivers who are using an electronic device while driving and committing another traffic violation could be fined.

Missouri will be one of the last states to implement punishments for drivers who text and drive — but only if they’re caught doing it while committing another traffic offense.

Missouri is one of just two states without a law that bans texting while driving for all motorists — but that could be changing.

It's currently illegal in Missouri for drivers under 21 to send a text message from a hand-held device while driving. The Missouri Senate committee approved a bill expanding that to all drivers, and adds that anyone under 18 would be banned from using any electronic communication device at all while driving, even if the use is hands-free.