The Iowa Legislature passed a law this session that forbids drivers from using a cell phone while driving unless it is in hands free mode, beginning July 1st. The Iowa Legislature wants to cut down on Distracted Driving. Brian Ortner with AAA Iowa gives a definition of Distracted Driving.
That could be texting/checking your phone, putting on makeup, shaving, eating, and Ortner says even passengers could be a distraction. Ortner has statistics from 2022 – 2025.
Ortner says the number of crashes has increased each year since 2022, where there were around 2,300 crashes. In 2024 that number goes up to 2,500. Starting July 1st, the new Hands-Free law goes into effect, law enforcement has said they will take the first 6 months and give warnings to educate the public of the new law.
Zach Tomesch, News Director KFJB