(Des Moines) Iowa will be a hands-free driving state starting next week. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law during the most recent legislative session.
Iowa State Patrol Trooper and District #4 Public Information Officer Shelby McCreedy says the bill broadens Iowa’s texting and driving laws, prohibiting any use of electronic devices. Iowa law enforcement agencies have long advocated for this change.
Trooper McCreedy says there is no longer a “One Touch.”
Trooper McCreedy discussed the hands-free laws established in Minnesota and Illinois. In 2019, both states enacted these laws, leading to a reduction in traffic crashes. Minnesota saw a 31 percent decrease, while Illinois experienced a 22 percent decline.
According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, 54 percent of the over 7,200 fatal and serious crashes from 2018-2022 were due to distracted driving. Authorities say a 10-percent reduction in distracted driving in Iowa would annually prevent 1,263 crashes, 708 injuries, six deaths, and $50 million in economic damages.
