Missouri legislators consider bill to ban texting while driving

Bipartisan legislation approved Monday in the Missouri Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee would make it illegal to text while driving.

The bill would make a first offense an infraction, with a fine of up to $50, and two points on the driver’s record. Penalties would increase from there.

It's been illegal in Missouri for anyone under 21 to send a text message from a hand-held device while driving since 2009. The new bill would expand the law to everyone else.

Read more from the Missouri Independent.