Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has introduced two new distracted driving laws.
One law relates to drivers using a phone who cause the death of another person while the other makes texting while driving a primary offense.
“Last year, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and I tasked a group of law enforcement and stakeholders from across the state to study the disturbing trend of traffic deaths on our roads,” said Branstad. “I’m pleased with the recommendations they put forward into action. I want to thank all of the stakeholders and legislators from both sides of the aisle for their hard work in delivering these bills that will make a big impact in improving safety on Iowa’s roads.”
The two bills that were signed in were:
Senate File 234: an Act relating to the use of electronic communication devices to write, send, or view electronic messages while driving as a primary offense, and making penalties applicable. The bill passed the Iowa Senate on March 22, 43-6 and the Iowa House on April 10, 90-6.
Senate File 444: an Act relating to public safety on highways, including the use of electronic communication devices while driving where such use results in death and the establishment of a statewide sobriety and drug monitoring program, and providing penalties. This bill passed the Iowa House on April 6, 90-3 and the Iowa Senate on April 12, 49-0.
The new distracted driving laws will take effect from July 1.
