ST. LOUIS — It's been over one year since texting while driving became illegal in Missouri, and it's already making a positive impact on the state's roads.
Since the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law took effect in August 2023, the state has seen a drop in distracted driving phone use on the roads. This is welcome news for those who pushed for the law to pass, especially for families who've lost loved ones, like Stephany Bening.
"If I can save one family from walking through what my kids and I have had to walk through, it's totally worth it," she said.
After the unthinkable happened to Bening and her family, she decided quickly to use her tragedy to change history.
"You can raise yourself to be a victim, or you can be a victor, where tough things happen in life, but it all depends on how you want to overcome," she said.
Those are the two options Stephany gave her kids when their dad was suddenly taken away from them on May 13, 2021.
"He and my daughter were heading down to the lake when the accident occurred," she said.
Stephany said a driver, distracted by her phone, hit and killed Mike Bening as he was picking up something on a Missouri interstate.
"She called me and said, 'Hey, Mom, something's happened to Dad. Can you get here?'" she said.
It wasn't until the day her life changed forever that Stephany learned Missouri was just one of two states without a law banning texting and driving.
"I would not wish it on anyone, and that is one of the reasons why I wanted to get out there and make our story known to legislators to get things changed in Missouri," she said.
That's exactly what this widow did. Stephany shared her testimony at the state capital to help get the Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law passed on Aug. 28, 2023.
"When you talk to those families that are impacted, you really can see, just how life-changing it can be. Traffic crashes are preventable, traffic deaths are preventable, and this is one way to make sure people get the right message that it's not okay to have your phone in your hand when you're behind the wheel," she said.
Nick Chabarria, AAA Missouri spokesperson, said people are getting that message. Since the law's passage, distracted driving phone use dropped by 8%, according to Cambridge Mobile Telematics.
"They estimate that's prevented more than 450 crashes, two fatalities, which is incredible, but we'd of course like to see it drop even more," he said.
Despite it now being a Missouri law, Chabarria said the work is never-ending.
"The Hands-Free Law was very much needed here in the state of Missouri. Now, it's about getting people to recognize the law and understand the law," he said.
While the work continues, Stephany is grateful her husband's life was not in vain.
"I'm very thankful for the traction that we've had this year and to know that there are lives that have been impacted, and they're getting to see their loved ones at the end of the day," she said.
Police can still only give out warnings, but ticketing starts on Jan. 1, 2025. Once penalties do begin, fines start at $150 and, for repeat offenders, can go up to $500.