From Rep. Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake –
We adjourned the 2017 legislative last month on Saturday, April 22 after spending 104 days in session doing the work of Iowans. This was truly a historic session with a number of measures passed that make Iowa a great place to raise a family or grow a business.
One issue that we focused our attention on this session was improving safety on our roads. Last year we saw a spike in the number of traffic fatalities on Iowa highways which led Governor Branstad to assemble a task force to examine ways that we could reduce accidents and fatalities on our roads and make recommendations to the Legislature. We took a look at many of the task force’s suggestions and in the end wound up with a number of bills that will hopefully improve road safety.
A major cause of crashes on Iowa’s roads and highways can be attributed to distracted driving like texting, emailing, checking social media or other cell phone usage while driving. We’ve now made texting while driving a primary offense which will allow law enforcement to pull drivers over that they see using their phones to text while behind the wheel. However, this new law doesn’t prevent Iowans from using their phone to make calls, use speak-to-text functionality or other voice-operated features.
The texting and driving law will take effect on July 1, and law enforcement will only issue warnings for the first year as Iowans change their habits and get acquainted to the new rule.
We also increased penalties on those who kill someone in a traffic accident if it can be proven that texting was the cause of the crash. This will ensure that those who take the life of another because of a reckless decision behind the wheel are held accountable.
Another major cause of accidents on Iowa’s roads is impaired driving, whether it be drugs or alcohol. In an effort to reduce the number of drivers that would get behind the wheel of a car after drinking or doing drugs, the Legislature implemented the 24/7 Sobriety program. This is a voluntary program that counties can use which has shown to be effective at reducing drunk and drugged driving in other states like South Dakota.
The 24/7 program requires certain offenders charged with alcohol or substance abuse violations to submit to twice daily drug and alcohol tests. This face to face contact and requirement to stay sober holds offenders accountable and encourages them to remain on the path of sobriety. The ultimate goal of 24/7 Sobriety is to encourage participants to remain sober even after they complete the program and avoid reoffending in the future.
We will be closely watching how these new approaches affect the number of traffic accidents and fatalities and will continue to look for future opportunities to ensure safety on our highways.
Keep up the good work Linda !
Huh? Are you nuts?
I think that was LInda’s hubby. He doesn’t have to put up with her when the legislature is in session.
Hey lady , you controllers think with your butt , sharia law don’t take lesbos serious so you’ve probably heard what the mooslim will do to you when they find out. Maybe you can wine to hussein odummy lol.
What a freakin joke ! The truth of everything that was stripped away and will devastate Iowa ..well she apparently has selective memory ! Can’t wait til 2018 and these heartless bastards get their asses kicked to the curb !!
As the Republicans took total control of Iowa’s Government and passed many new laws one thing stood out to me.
Many of the bills enacted had more to do with taking away freedom and shifting regulations in such a way to help Iowa business increase their profits at the expense of the working man/woman.
To sum it up many of their new laws created “welfare for the rich”.
As an independent I will be shifting my vote back to the Democrats even though I loath abortion and welfare. Abortion is murder and welfare makes you weak and dependent on others. Still I see many of the new laws enacted this year by Republican control as selfish politicians sticking it to all Iowans.
Linda, I am very disappointed!
Most of the people who drive drunk could care less about the laws, or any program. They won’t get a license but will continue to drive anyway. That type of law has not worked in the past and won’t work now.
Dear Worried Iowan, your criticism of Rep Upmeyer is unfair. She wasn’t focused on a list, she simply identified one point, as she explained in the article. If you are going to conclude from this one article that she is a poor representative and I can safely conclude you are sexist.
By you jumping from Worried Iowan’s fair criticism of the legislature to he/she being sexist, I can safely conclude you’re a moron.
There was only one point because that was the only thing done to help working Iowans
Thank you for making my point.
Speaker Upmeyer: The legislatures list of accomplishments only includes texting while driving? The legislature has sold out to the wealthy amongst us, many of whom do not even live in Iowa like the Koch Bros. Iowa no longer works for its citizens, Iowans in public office sell out to the highest bidder. At least be honest.