News : Hands free law in effect July 1

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The Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) are collaborating to educate the public on Iowa's new Hands-Free Driving Law. Governor Kim Reynolds signed bill SF 22 into law on April 2, 2025, making Iowa the 31st state in the nation to enact hands-free legislation. The law will go into effect on July 1, 2025, with an initial warning period through December 31, 2025.Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of traffic crashes. A 2024 GTSB survey of over 1,300 Iowans from nearly every county revealed that 90% of respondents considered using a cell phone while driving to be extremely dangerous, even though 50% admitted to driving with a phone in their hand."Iowa's new hands-free law marks a pivotal moment in our fight against distracted driving; it's an unprecedented opportunity to fundamentally change driver behavior," says Brett Tjepkes with the GTSB. "By embracing this change, we can drastically reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roads, making Iowa safer for everyone."The hands-free law prohibits drivers from using electronic devices while driving unless the device is in a hands-free setting. This means drivers cannot hold their phone, type, scroll, enter GPS coordinates, stream video, view content, or make calls unless voice activated. Drivers can use several options to stay hands-free: phone mounts, auxiliary cables, speakerphone features, Bluetooth, and other voice command systems.With the implementation of the new law, the Iowa State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies will focus on both education and enforcement during the six-month warning period. Law enforcement across the state is distributing educational materials to raise awareness about the law and how drivers can comply with it. The Department of Transportation, cities, and various coalitions are also distributing information."Every life lost to distracted driving is a tragedy," says Iowa State Patrol Colonel Nathan Fulk. "By adopting Iowa's new hands-free law, we are taking a major step toward safer roads in our state. Let's all do our part: put down the phone, focus on the road, and help make Iowa's roads safer for everyone."Iowans are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new law and consider what hands-free options will work best for them and their vehicle. For more hands-free resources, please visit https://dps.iowa.gov/hands-free-law-materials