DES MOINES, IOWA (March 26, 2025) — The Iowa House of Representatives has voted 84-11 to pass SF 22, a bill that requires Iowans to use Bluetooth or voice-activated ‘hands free’ technology while driving, aimed at reducing distracted driving on Iowa’s roadways in order to save lives. The house measure, sponsored by Representative Ann Meyer, was passed by the Senate earlier this month 47-1 and will now make its way to Governor Kim Reynolds for her signature. The Governor expressed strong support for this measure in her Condition of the State speech earlier this year. Iowa will be the 31st state in the country to have a hands-free law.
Luke Hoffman, Executive Director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, said, “This legislation will save lives and make our roads safer for all Iowans. This was truly a team effort. We are grateful to Gov Reynolds for taking a stand against distracted driving this legislative session and promoting public safety on our shared roadways. The Iowa Bicycle Coalition was proud to work with Gov Reynolds, Senator Mark Lofgren, Rep Meyer, Rep David Young, and the other critical partners from our End Distracted Driving Coalition, who all helped to get this legislation over the finish line.”
Hoffman continued, “Iowa urgently needs a hands-free driving law, and the Iowa Bike Coalition has worked towards this day for nearly seven years since it was first introduced. We have been persistent in our efforts because of the stories our advocates elevate of Iowans impacted by this issue. Stories like those of Kristina Collora Pearson, Jenny Buls-Vrba, and Ellen Bengsten. We do this for them, for their families, and know that this new law will for a fact prevent unnecessary future loss of loved ones. This law is the seatbelt law of our generation, and we will be working in the coming months to educate the general public on how we can all change behavior so we can save lives, together.”
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. 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.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition has been a strong advocate for this legislation along with their partners in the End Distracted Driving Coalition, a statewide group of more than 28 organizations, including representatives from law enforcement, business, health-care, labor, transportation, and insurance sectors. The coalition's mission is to reduce distracted driving by passing a comprehensive hands-free driving law in Iowa. By uniting diverse voices, the coalition raises awareness, promotes safer roads, and has helped pass this critical legislation during the 2025 Iowa legislative session.
