MSHP announces anti-texting while driving campaign

Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announced the agency’s newest safety campaign---an anti-texting while driving message---will be taken “on the road”. Stickers with the campaign logo will be affixed to all Patrol vehicles. The anti-texting while driving campaign is intended to encourage Missouri’s motorists to put down their phones and prevent traffic crashes from the dangerous distraction of texting while driving.

“Inattention is a leading cause of traffic crashes,” said Colonel Replogle. “If you’re focused on sending a text message, then you aren’t paying attention to your driving. Cell phone usage -- particularly texting while driving can lead to tragic consequences. These consequences are easily preventable if drivers would simply put down their phones and focus on the road."

Col. Replogle added that the campaign complements Missouri’s current anti-texting law, which prohibits use of texting devices for drivers 21 years of age and younger. He called on all Missouri drivers to honor the letter and the spirit of the law--regardless of age--and stop texting while driving to help make Missouri’s highways safer for all motorists. Missouri is one of 38 states in the nation to enact some type of anti-texting legislation.

In 2009, cell phone usage while driving contributed to more than 1,780 traffic crashes in Missouri.  In the first half of 2010, there were 791 traffic crashes related to the use of cell phones behind the wheel resulting in eight fatalities and 239 injuries. Additionally, in this same time period, there were 17,535 crashes where distracted driving has been cited as a contributing cause.