Tomorrow (Tuesday), July 1, is the first day Iowa’s new hands-free driving law is in effect, and many drivers will need to break some ingrained habits if they want to avoid an unscheduled chat with law enforcement. This past legislative session, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate File (SF) 22 prohibiting drivers from using electronic devices while behind the wheel. District 4 Iowa State Patrol Trooper and Public Resource Officer Shelby McCreedy says law enforcement organizations had advocated for hands-free for close to a decade, and after multiple attempts, it is now state law.
The most common distraction for drivers is their cellphone, but McCreedy says the law is broader than that.
Fortunately, she says most vehicles on the road are equipped with Bluetooth technology, making hands-free use a little easier, if tedious. McCreedy says older vehicles might need some minor equipment upgrades.
McCreedy adds the law applies whenever a vehicle is in operation.
For the first six months the law is in effect, drivers will be given warnings for violations. After Dec. 31, 2025, law enforcement can begin writing tickets.
Since 2015, distracted driving has been a contributing factor to around 1,000 crashes per year in Iowa, leading to more than 70 fatalities over that time period.
