For the first time in its seven-year history, Buckle Up Phone Down is the law in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with various safety partners across the state, are marking this milestone during the seventh annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day challenge on Oct. 25. In August, the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law took effect in Missouri, prohibiting all drivers from using a handheld electronic communication device while driving. The law aims to address distracted driving, which contributed to crashes that claimed the lives of more than 800 people across the state from 2012-2021. Paired with the requirement to wear a seat belt, the enactment of the hands-free legislation means BUPD is officially law in Missouri. Under this law, drivers are prohibited from physically holding or supporting a cell phone with any part of their body; manually typing, writing, sending, or reading text-based messages; recording, posting, sending or broadcasting video, including video calls and social media posts; and watching a video or movie.