Law enforcement officers across Iowa are preparing for the new law that’ll take effect this summer, forbidding drivers from touching their cell phones while behind the wheel.
Hamilton County Sheriff Alex Pruismann says he welcomes the new law, though it won’t bring a big change to how his deputies are already treating the potentially deadly distractions.
“When accidents occur, we try to figure out where the phone was at, if it was in their hands, pockets, floorboard, stuff like that, to see if that was in use that was maybe a cause to the accident,” Pruismann says. “It’s not going to be much different than what we already do, because we already look for those things, and right now we look for them in a secondary capacity, like if they’re speeding and using their cell phone, it just now becomes a primary offense that they can be pulled over for.”
Pruismann says it’s a common-sense law that’s also a potential life-saver, as motorists need to limit and eliminate the hazards that could cause a crash.
“It’s just a matter of being smart on the roadways and not being distracted,” the sheriff says, “being safe, using your skills and just looking out for the person ahead of you.”
Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law last week, making Iowa the 31st state with a hands-free law. Starting July 1st, drivers who aren’t using the phones in voice-activated or hands-free mode will face warnings, with $100 fines beginning January 1st.
(By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City)