Reynolds signs bill making it illegal to handle smart phones while driving

DES MOINES — Governor Kim Reynolds Wednesday signed the bill that will make it illegal to handle a smart phone while driving, starting July 1st.

“Thirty states across the country have passed hands-free legislation and today Iowa becomes the 31st and I’m grateful because this legislation will save lives,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds was surrounded by dozens of people for the bill signing ceremony, including the families of Iowans who have died in accidents caused by distracted drivers.  “It’s especially meaningful that we’re gathered on this day, April 2. Exactly two years ago, Roland Taylor was killed by a distracted driver and of the nine minutes the driver was in the car, he spent seven on his phone,” she said. “Roland should be in here today and although we grieve his absence, I’m honored to sign the ‘Hands Free’ bill into law in his memory and we do the same for every Iowan killed due to distracted driving.”

Peter Bengston’s 28-year-old daughter, Ellen, was on a Sunday afternoon bicycle ride just outside Charles City on August 2nd of 2020 when she was struck and killed by a distracted driver. “The guy that mowed her down in his pickup truck was trying to buy a boat while reading social media and never saw what he hit and literally on camera admitted that he was using his phone, had to turn around and found her body in the ditch,” Bengsten said, “and my wife and I have been advocating and trying to improve the law.”

A judge threw out the vehicular homicide charge filed in this case because the prosecutor was unable to prove the driver was touching his phone when he hit Bengston. The bicyclist’s father says it’s been frustrating that it took lawmakers so long to pass this law. “This year when we got confirmation that it had been passed by the House, my wife and I were ecstatic. We were in tears, we just embraced each other — in a good way,” Benston said. “The last few years it was kind of the opposite, right?…Why can’t they see this common sense law will save lives in Iowa?”

Reynolds cited a recent study indicating a 10 percent reduction in distracted driving in Iowa will prevent over 1200 crashes, 700 injuries and six deaths. Starting July 1st, Iowa law enforcement officers may begin giving warnings to motorists caught illegally handling a phone while driving. Then, starting January 1st of next year, those who violate the law will be fined $100.