(Des Moines) There are no more warnings. As of January 1, law enforcement began ticketing motorists using their cellphones to make calls, talk, text, stream, scroll, or type into their GPS.
The law now requires hands-free or voice-activated technology. If you cause a crash or serious injury, it will cost you a $500.00 fine and possible suspension of your driver’s license.
In 2019, Illinois and Minnesota 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.
The Iowa law went into effect on July 1 last year. Iowa is wrapping up its year with fewer than 300 traffic fatalities for the first time since 1925.
