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(Iowa) -- Iowa’s new hands-free law goes into effect on July 1, but what does that mean for drivers?
"In the previous electronic communication device law, there was so much gray area, both for the motorists and law enforcement. This new hands-free law does exactly what it says, the phone needs to be out of your hand. You cannot text, you cannot call. We need to remember what we are doing behind the wheel," said Sergeant Alex Dinkla with the Iowa State Patrol.
Senate File 22, signed by Governor Kim Reynolds back in April, requires electronic devices to be out of drivers’ hands and in drive-safe modes while operating a motor vehicle. Dinkla says motorists are still allowed to use devices when they are driving, whether that be using Bluetooth or entering a GPS location before leaving, so long as they are in hands-free mode before driving.
According to the Iowa Department of Transportation Crash History Report, preliminary numbers show 933 crashes were caused by distracted electronic use in 2024, with 10 being fatal. Dinkla says even then, distracted driving crashes go underreported.
"We know if there is a simple property damage crash at an intersection, law enforcement probably isn't digging into that crash, finding out the root cause. We are more focused on getting that roadway open and making it a safe place to operate," said Dinkla.
Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia already have hands-free driving laws, including Illinois, Minnesota, and Missouri.
"Some of our neighboring states have already passed hands-free legislation, and they have seen a significant drop in the amount of crashes that were happening in their states. So that’s why we know by passing this law, we are going to see a reduction in crashes here in Iowa," said Dinkla.
The law goes into effect July 1st, but law enforcement will not begin handing out fines and penalties until next year.