Iowa lawmakers to consider hands-free driving bill
A new hands-free driving bill is set to be debated by Iowa lawmakers next month.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition and dozens of other groups are pushing a new hands-free driving bill.
After Jan. 1, 2025, 30 states will have a hands-free driving law. Luke Hoffman wants Iowa to be 31.
"That would mean 1,263 incidents that would be prevented. That's 706 crashes. That's six lives saved each year," said Hoffman, the executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.
The coalition is joining multiple safety, law enforcement, and insurance groups to sponsor a new hands-free driving bill in Iowa.
Texting while driving is already illegal.
The new bill would make it illegal to use a phone unless it's voice-activated or hands-free or used by drivers in agricultural equipment.
"So you have a ban on drunk driving. You have a ban on texting while driving in the next iteration. This is the next logical step in that path to really complete the picture. When it comes to providing and equipping law enforcement with public safety tools to get their job done, which is to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, which is what hands-free means," Hoffman said.
Drivers we talked to worry the bill might be too strict.
"It's important to be safe on the road. But maybe I'd be cautious about banning it because, you know, different technology's come along and, you know, things change," said Jerome Schmidt, a driver.
"I'm looking forward to working with the policymakers to get it done, start saving some lives, make our state the best place to live, work, and play," Hoffman said.
The 2025 legislative session begins on Jan. 13, and supporters of the hands-free driving bill say they feel good about the vote.
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