A recent study from Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) found that Iowa’s new hands-free driving law, which took effect on July 1, has already reduced phone-related distracted driving by nearly four percent. CMT measured distracted driving by tracking when a phone’s screen is on and a vehicle is in motion and compared the figures from June and July. According to their data, drivers averaged one minute and 12.4 seconds of distracted driving per hour in June, but that figure dropped to one minute and 9.5 seconds per hour in July, a 3.9 percent drop. By CMT’s estimates, the new law prevented 20 crashes, at least 10 injuries, and nearly $1 million in economic damages in July alone. Additionally, their study found that handheld calling also decreased by 9.8 percent from June to July, dropping from 27 seconds per hour to 24 seconds per hour. These shifts come before Iowa law enforcement even begins issuing tickets for infractions, as officers will issue warnings for the first six months to raise awareness of the changes. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, drivers can begin getting tickets, and penalties include $100 for a first violation, $500 if the violation results in injury, and $1,000 for distracted driving crashes that cause a fatality.
