The End Distracted Driving Iowa Coalition is officially launching a statewide campaign to advocate for a full hands-free driving law in Iowa. Supported by more than 25 organizations representing law enforcement, healthcare, labor, business, transportation, insurance, and state agencies, the coalition aims to make Iowa’s roads safer with the passage of legislation preventing drivers from using their phones while driving.
Iowa urgently needs a hands-free driving law. Over the past decade, distracted driving crashes have increased by 43%, according to Iowa DOT’s crash data. Similar laws in states like Michigan, Ohio, Alabama, and Minnesota have proven effective, reducing crash rates significantly. For example, Michigan saw a 10.2% drop, while Minnesota experienced over a 30% reduction in crashes (CMT US Road Safety Report 2024).
In Iowa, even a 10% reduction in distracted driving would prevent 1,000 crashes, 700 injuries, and six fatalities annually according to the CMT US Road Safety Report 2024. The Coalition is encouraging the legislature to take action.
“Motorcyclists would love to enjoy our personal rights and freedoms to ride our machines on the roadways, free from the fear of our safety and lives being threatened by distracted drivers.” — Dan Moellers, President of the Iowa Motorcycle Dealers Association & David Duffy, State Coordinator of A.B.A.T.E of Iowa
“Distracted driving continues to be one of the core causes of serious injury and death on Iowa’s roadways. The consequences are tragic, senseless, and devastating for everyone involved. Enacting a hands-free law is a positive and essential step that would save lives and promote traffic safety throughout our state.” – Nathan Fulk, Colonel of the Iowa State Patrol
Unfortunately, Iowans are frequently using their devices while driving—96% of residents report regularly seeing others driving with a cellphone in hand, according to the Governor’s Safety Traffic Bureau’s annual State Fair survey. The same survey found 85% of Iowans support a hands-free driving law. It’s time for Iowa to join 30 other states in adopting this crucial safety measure.
The members of the End Distracted Driving Coalition know first-hand the toll distracted driving can take on their neighbors and communities:
“We see the lives lost to distracted driving every day. Keeping Iowans hands on the wheel and off their phones will save lives.” — Aaron Nordyke, President of the Iowa State Trooper Association
“I was pleased to learn that the End Distracted Driving Coalition is once again actively working with policymakers to put teeth in the current law. When you are behind the wheel, you need to be continually aware of your surroundings. If you take your eyes of the road for even for a few seconds, there can be devasting consequences for you and other drivers on the road”. — Scott Marler, Director, Iowa Department of Transportation.
“IBEW Local 13 members have personally experienced the tragic result of distracted driving. On October 18th, 2022, two electrical workers were working on a project on the Great River Bridge in Burlington, Iowa, when they were fatally struck by a distracted driver, who at the time was a 21-year-old college student.” — Jacob Nye, Business Manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 13
“We know passing this law will save the lives of countless Iowans, plain and simple. The first order of government is to protect the people, and that’s exactly what this law will do. We need lawmakers to have the courage to prioritize safety and stand with law enforcement on this issue so we can start saving lives” said Luke Hoffman, Executive Director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.
“Distracted driving is more than a brief lapse in focus on that task at hand. Distracted diving accounts for thousands of severe injuries annually. Research shows that 1 in 5 distracted driving crashes result in a head injury, and TBIs are the leading cause of disability in young adults. According to the National Safety Council, distracted driving contributes to 1.6 million crashes annually in the U.S., many leading to life-altering injuries. Legislation to end distracted driving protects not just drivers, but every Iowan on our roads. Injury prevention is a part of the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa’s mission, and we strongly support opportunities to keep Iowa drivers safe.” — June Klein-Bacon, Executive Director, Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa
If you are interested in speaking with representatives of the End Distracted Driving Iowa Coalition about this effort, please contact Nick Laning at nick@advocacyiowa.com or (515) 985-9054.
