Is it legal to sleep at a Missouri rest stop? Here’s what the law says
While it’s not a crime to drive while sleepy in Missouri, it can also be extremely dangerous.
Driving while tired is no different from drunk driving, according to the National Sleep Foundation. If you’re planning on a road trip, they recommend plotting out rest stops or points of interest along your route.
“Drowsy driving accounts for an estimated 1 in 5 fatal motor vehicle crashes on US roads, yet it rarely makes headlines the way drunk driving does. The science behind drowsy driving is sobering,” said the National Sleep Foundation. “When you’ve been awake for 18 hours, your body functions as if you have a blood alcohol content of 0.05%.”
Believe it or not, it’s not legal everywhere to pull over for a nap.
Many states have different rules when it comes to sleeping at rest stops. Virginia completely prohibits it, while states like Illinois have a time limit for how long you can sleep in your car.
In Kansas, drivers are allowed to sleep at rest areas maintained by the Kansas Department of Transportation. Here is what to know when it comes to sleeping in your car at a Missouri rest stop.
Is it legal to sleep at rest areas in Missouri?
In Missouri, you are allowed to sleep at rest areas maintained by the Missouri Department of Transportation.
The rules of MoDOT refer to rest areas as “a commission roadside facility along a Missouri interstate highway with parking facilities for the rest, safety, or other needs of motorists.”
While the rules don’t indicate how long one can stay in the rest area, drivers should not leave their vehicle unattended when making a rest stop. The Motor Transport Alliance, a transportation and trucking company, said that you cannot camp at a Missouri rest stop, though overnight parking is allowed.
A map of rest areas, welcome centers and truck-only parking sites can be found on the MoDOT website.
