Story Published:
Jan 11, 2010 at 10:22 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jan 11, 2010 at 11:10 PM CDT
Teens, texting and tragedy: Which states are making the grade? A report card released by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety takes a look at how well state traffic laws are protecting drivers.
As Missouri lawmakers open their 2010 session, a report card shows they have some work to do to save lives on the road. When it comes to adopting laws to protect drivers, the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety say Missouri is neither the best nor the worst. The 2010 Roadmap to State Highway Safety Laws grades each state on 15 laws addressing teen driving, distracted driving, drunk driving, and the required use of seat belts, child booster seats and motorcycle helmets. On a scale of green to red, Missouri is a yellow. “Comprehensive improvements can and do save lives, but what has been missing is the political will to take action,” said Deborah Hershman with the National Transportation Safety Board during a news conference Monday.
So what has the state done right? The Advocates say, continuing its motorcycle helmet ban and booster seat laws and strengthening its graduated licensing law for teens. But the group says to improve to a green, state lawmakers need to adopt an all-driver texting ban. And that’s something Pam Holt says is probably only a matter of time. “5 bills have been introduced to ban it for all drivers. Right now, it limits it to under 21,” she said.
But something that she says will be more difficult to pass is a primary seatbelt law which allows police to pull you over for not wearing your seatbelt, even if you've committed no other violations. It's been proposed in the state legislature for years, but has yet to pass. “Currently the state of Missouri is eligible for $16 million in federal funds if they pass a primary seatbelt law. That hasn't been enough to get us to pass law,” said Holt.
The report card also puts a new emphasis on tougher ignition interlock laws for convicted drunk drivers - something Governor Jay Nixon is fighting for. “This roadmap identifies areas where work must still be done, but it is up to leaders to raise the bar on safety,” said Hershman.
Arkansas also received a yellow ranking, but has improved from a red just last year. The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety credit that state's improvement with all driver texting ban and ignition interlock device law.
