Missouri State Highway Patrol

Patrol Continues Distracted Driving Message

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 2012, driver inattention was listed as the contributing circumstance in 22,491 traffic crashes in Missouri. Those crashes can be broken down into 13,447 property damage only, 8,952 injuries, and 92 people killed, where use of a cell phone was the distraction. Additionally, during this same time period, there were 357 crashes where texting while driving was cited as a contributing cause, and those crashes can be broken down into 247 property damage only, 108 injury and two fatal crashes.

Joining the MSHP in the campaign are trucking company Con-way Freight, one of Missouri’s largest freight carriers, and Roush Fenway Racing, one of NASCAR’s top racing teams.

AT&T's new 10-minute documentary titled "The Last Text," featuring stories of real individuals whose lives have been adversely affected by texting behind the wheel.