DES MOINES, IOWA (November 14, 2022) — Efforts are underway to update Iowa’s distracted-driving laws in response to several fatal crashes in which drivers were found to be using their phones while driving. A campaign called Drive Safe Iowa has launched a petition to collect names of supporters to update Iowa’s distracted-driving laws. Drive Safe Iowa is encouraging Iowans to go to drivesafeiowa.org and sign the pledge demanding legislation to require drivers to only use cell-phones in hands-free or voice-activated mode while driving.
Advocates have prioritized legislation banning hand-held cell-phone use while driving unless in hands-free mode after a judge dismissed charges in a Charles City distracted-driving case. The driver admitted to being distracted by a Facebook notification about a boat for sale when he hit and killed 28-year-old Ellen Bengtson who was bicycling in the same direction.
“Ellen deserved to return home safely after a Sunday afternoon bike ride. She did nothing wrong,” said Peter and Jo Ann Bengtson, parents of Ellen. “The driver did not even know what he had hit her because he had his eyes off the road and on his phone. Sadly, her future vanished, and our family was ripped apart, all due to irresponsible phone use. Please help us stop these preventable tragedies, for Ellen’s sake.”
Iowa legislators have worked on similar legislation during the last several sessions that have passed committees in the Iowa House and Senate but failed to be called for debate by either chamber despite bi-partisan support. A new session begins on January 9, 2023, and legislators see renewed energy to pass a hands-free law.
“Whether you are cycling, running, walking, or just someone out enjoying nature, you are at risk due to distracted drivers,” says Senator Mark Lofgren (R-Muscatine). “Hands-free is not perfect, but it will help make our streets safer than they are now. We will be educating some of our new legislators on this issue, and we hope to prevail in the 90th General Assembly.”
According to the Iowa DOT Crash Analysis Tool, there were 1,084 crashes in 2021 involving drivers distracted by an electronic device. Distracted-driving crashes have doubled since 2001, but fatal crashes have increased ten-fold. In 2001, only one person was killed by a distracted motorist. In 2021, ten people were killed by distracted drivers on Iowa roadways.
“This has got to stop,” says Mark Wyatt of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. “While vulnerable users like bicyclists and pedestrians are fatally susceptible to distracted driving, this affects all users of Iowa roadways, including motorists and operators of ag equipment.”
Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that strong laws regarding distracted-driving are making a difference in states that have enacted them. So far, 47 states have banned texting while driving and 16 states have hands-free laws.
Iowans who share the belief that distracted driving needs attention in our legislature are encouraged to visit drivesafeiowa.org (or if not driving, text HANDSFREE to 52886) and sign the petition to pass a hands-free law in Iowa during this legislative session.
Drive Safe Iowa is a campaign aimed at traffic safety for all Iowans. The priority of this campaign is to pass a law requiring cell-phones to be used in hands-free mode while driving and ultimately curb traffic fatalities in Iowa with safer driving.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition is an exciting organization working to promote Iowa cycling as safe and enjoyable recreation and transportation. The 501(c)(3) non-profit group was launched by bicycling advocates from across Iowa and will unite the voices of road riders, mountain bikers, recreation riders, commuters, and anyone else who prefers a bicycle for recreation and transportation. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition promotes safe and enjoyable bicycling in Iowa through education, events, better policy, and growing a community of supporters.
