Missouri’s highways missed out on millions of federal dollars and could risk even more if state lawmakers do not adopt mandatory seat-belt and open container laws.

With no law banning open containers of alcoholic beverages in vehicles, the state has been hamstrung by a federal order requiring it to spend $22.7 million in federal funds over the past three years on safety projects instead of constructing and repairing roads, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The federal government mandated in 2001 that states either pass open container laws or spend a percentage of federal highway dollars on safety improvements such as installing cables to prevent crossover accidents.

Missouri transportation officials expect to divert an additional $12 million in federal road money this year because of the order, the newspaper reported.

Without a primary seat-belt law – which would permit police to pull over drivers for not buckling up – Missouri would miss out on $77 million in federal funds over the next three years, under a new highway bill that Congress is debating.

Under a current scenario in the highway bill, the federal government would redirect money from states that don’t have primary seat-belt laws to states that do.

Two measures in the state Legislature are intended to increase safety on the state’s roadways and retain road dollars.

HB1473, sponsored by state Rep. Trent Skaggs, D-North Kansas City, would stiffen the seat-belt law and prohibit anyone in a vehicle from having an open alcoholic beverage while on the road or the shoulder.

The current law prohibits only the driver from having an open container.

HB1200, sponsored by state Rep. Robert Schaaf, R-St. Joseph, solely addresses seat-belt use.

Missouri is one of about 30 states without a primary seat-belt law. The Show-Me State is one of only 13 that allow open containers.