In the state of Missouri only drivers 21 years and younger are prohibited from texting while driving. Missouri is just one of 11 states without a ban on text messaging by all drivers. This year alone the Legislature had at least seven distracted driving bills before it, but none came to a vote. Rep. Chris Kelly of Columbia said the lawmakers will make another attempt to ban drivers from texting in the next legislative season.
Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid says he supports the ban on texting while driving.
“It‘s a national issue. Obviously good driving habits can be enforced. So I think what we need to do is publicize the need for good focus, the need for concentration, and the importance of good driving habits,” McDavid said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation said sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off of the road for an average of 4.6 seconds.