Record numbers of travelers are expected on Iowa’s roads over the next two weeks, and law officers statewide are launching a Special Traffic Enforcement Program, or STEP, later today that will run through January 4.
Iowa State Patrol trooper Paul Gardner, who is based in Fort Dodge, says the goal is to help everyone reach their destinations safely.
“We will have extra troopers on the road through Christmas and into the new year,” Gardner says. “Our focus will be on preventing crashes involving distracted driving and impaired driving.”
Iowa has seen a significant drop in highway fatalities this year and could end 2025 with the lowest number of roadway deaths in decades.
“So we’re going to work diligently to keep those traffic crashes and those traffic deaths down the best we can,” Gardner says. “If you are out celebrating for Christmas and into the new year, please celebrate responsibly. If you’re going to be out celebrating and involving alcoholic beverages, have a designated driver, somebody sober to get you home safely. That could be a friend, family member, an Uber or taxi.”
Starting January 1, law officers will begin issuing citations under Iowa’s new hands-free law, which prohibits drivers from handling a cell phone while behind the wheel.
“So up until then, any warnings that drivers were issued from July 1 to January 1 will be on file,” Gardner says. “That means if a trooper runs somebody’s record, it will show that they were warned during that warning period, so that will likely affect the trooper’s decision on whether they issue a citation or not.”
Gardner says the fine for motorists caught using a cell phone that is not in hands-free mode will be $170.
