Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law
In response to the alarming rise in distracted driving incidents, Missouri Governor Mike Parson has signed the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law. The law aims to address the epidemic of distracted driving, which has resulted in over 1,000 annual fatalities on Missouri’s roadways in the past two years.
Nicole Hood, MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer, expressed her concern over the surge in distracted driving incidents and commended the General Assembly and Governor Parson for recognizing the urgency of implementing a hands-free law. She emphasized the hope that this law would reshape the prevailing safety culture around phone usage while driving and ultimately save lives.
Dangers of Distracted Driving
Distracted driving, primarily due to texting, poses a significant threat to all road users. The allure of a buzzing phone can tempt drivers to divert their attention away from the road, creating a perilous situation that unfolds in a matter of seconds.
The act of texting while driving not only endangers the distracted driver but also innocent passengers, pedestrians, and occupants of other vehicles. Even the act of reading a text message can be equally hazardous, as taking one’s eyes off the road, even briefly, drastically increases the likelihood of a collision.
Driver Education is Important for Behavior Change
Education plays a pivotal role in raising awareness and fostering behavioral change to prevent texting and driving. Defensive driving courses can be instrumental in equipping drivers with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to prioritize safety on the roads.
As we navigate the roads of the modern world, it is incumbent upon each of us to recognize the gravity of this issue and make a conscious choice to prioritize safety over the urge to text while driving. The stakes are high, and the path to safer roads begins with a simple decision – to keep our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel.