CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Ahead of the busy holiday travel week, the Iowa State Patrol has released new statewide numbers for distracted driving warnings.

The warnings are issued as part of a new ‘hands-free’ driving law meant to make roads safer.

The law has been in effect for just over 120 days, with 7,968 warnings issued in the first four months.

Total statewide warnings issued:

July: 2,662

August: 1,907

September: 1,706

October: 1,643

The Cedar Rapids Police Department has issued 16 warnings between July 1 and the first week of November.

So far, drivers have only received warnings if they’ve been caught using their phone while driving. But law enforcement will be able to issue $100 tickets starting January 1.

Iowa State Patrol says its already seeing the law pay off, as

See Full Page