(Des Moines) The Iowa Department of Transportation is recommending changes to state traffic laws after nearly 380 people died on Iowa roads in 2023. This is the deadliest year on Iowa’s roadways in seven years and the second deadliest year on Iowa roads in the last 12 years. Only 2016 was higher, with more than 400 traffic-related deaths.
A safety plan by the Iowa Department of Transportation lays out ways state lawmakers could lower that number, like banning drivers from using their phones behind the wheel, requiring all passengers to use their seat belts, and making motorcycle riders under a certain age wear a helmet and more protection for bicyclists.
Iowa law only bans phones for texting (or emailing) and driving.
