Legislative update: A handheld cell phone law is now in effect in Missouri. The Highway Patrol cites a one-third reduction in calls to crashes linked to distracted driving. The law took effect Aug. 28, 2024, with warnings until early 2025. Senate Bill 398 from Sen. Nick Schroer set fines from $150 to $500, with enhanced punishments for school- and work-zone violations. Limited to secondary enforcement, meaning police need another reason for a stop. Signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson. MoDOT cites an increase in highway fatalities for the year, following two years of decreases. As of late … [Read more...]
Kentucky: Distracted driving laws, legislation
December 2, 2008 by 8 Comments
Cell phone, text messaging update: State Rep. Jimmy Higdon has unveiled a hands-free measure that would apply to all drivers. Higdon, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said of his 2026 plan: "With this piece of legislation, we can reduce deaths on Kentucky highways." He called the legislative effort "winnable." Kentucky currently bans texting and driving, with fines starting at $25. That law dates back to 2010 and is considered outdated and unenforceable. In 2013, Gov. Steve Beshear used his administrative powers to toughen the state distracted driving laws after the … [Read more...]
Colorado: Cell phone laws, legislation
December 1, 2008 by 17 Comments
Distracted driving news: The Colorado State Patrol cites increased enforcement of the state's hands-free cell phone law, which went into effect in mid-2024. In 2025, 935 citations were handed out, CSP says. That compares with 299 the year before. The law's author, state Sen. Chris Hansen, pointed to "widespread and irresponsible cell phone usage while driving." The Colorado State Patrol handed out 90 citations and 91 warnings under the new state distracted driving law, in its first two months of full enforcement. Colorado first outlawed texting and the use of cell phones by teen … [Read more...]
Georgia: Cell phone laws, legislation
November 28, 2008 by 40 Comments
Cell phone legislation news: State Rep. John Carson continues to tinker with Georgia's distracted driving laws. The sponsor of 2018's Hands-Free Georgia Act returns with 2021-22 legislation that would remove the forgiveness for violators who buy hands-free kits. "It's time to close this loophole and save lives," he told reporters. The House agreed, backing his plan in early March. In 2020, Carson unsuccessfully sought to double the fines: "People are still using their phone because there’s not much deterrent" in the $50 cell phone fine, he said at the time. "The newness of it has worn … [Read more...]
Kansas: Cell phone laws, legislation
November 21, 2008 by 10 Comments
Cell phone, texting news: Lawmakers are making another run at prohibiting the use of handheld cell phones in the state's school and construction zones. The 2026 plan comes once again with a $60 fine and would take full effect in the summer of 2027. Kansas has the third-highest rate of fatalities due to distracted driving, but only bars texting & driving. The state's ban on text messaging while driving took effect Jan. 1, 2011. There are no statewide limits on cell phone use by adult drivers. No cell phone legislation succeeded in any of the sessions between 2010 and 2025. The state has one … [Read more...]
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