Months into Iowa’s hands-free law troopers see fewer fatalities, families of victims hope education changes culture

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCRG) - Iowa’s hands-free driving law has been in effect for nearly six months, and state troopers say they are already seeing the impact: fewer drivers using their phones and fewer people dying on Iowa’s roads.

Sgt. Alex Dinkla with Iowa State Patrol said officers statewide have been focused on education since the law took effect in July. They have been issuing only warnings — nearly 10,000 of them.

“We run those stats every month so as of the end of November law enforcement here in Iowa — not just state patrol but law enforcement all across the state — have written close to 10,000 warnings,” Dinkla said.

Troopers have also found many drivers still don’t know the law has been implemented. Officers have been handing out information cards that explain what is and isn’