Hunter
04/06/26
A new law that went into effect January 1st prohibiting drivers from operating phones and other mobile devices with their hands while driving has kept local and state law enforcement busy.
The Gazette reports in the first three months the law has been in effect, nearly 3700 citations and over 3100 warnings have been issued, after a soft launch in July that only allowed officers to issue warnings.
The Iowa State Patrol alone has issued over 2400 citations and issued over 1900 warnings since January 1st.
It was the safest year on the road for Iowa drivers, with the fewest traffic deaths in a century. Unfortunately it hasn’t carried into 2026. In the first three months, there have been 64 traffic deaths, 28 percent more than last year.
Brett Tjepkes, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau chief, told the Gazette he hopes the new distracted driving law will ultimately help reduce traffic deaths in the long run, much like when the seat belt law was enacted in 1986.