DES MOINES — Law enforcement agencies across Iowa are cracking down on a dangerous epidemic: drivers so addicted to their mobile devices they are willing to gamble with the lives of everyone on the road, and hundreds faced consequences in a recent blitz.
As part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) and the Central Iowa Traffic Safety Task Force (CITSTF) spearheaded a high-visibility enforcement wave from April 6–10. The results of the five-day blitz highlight a persistent problem with selfish behavior behind the wheel, as officers issued 551 hands-free citations and 329 warnings—totaling 880 violations in less than a week.
These recent numbers are just a snapshot of a much larger wave of enforcement. Since Iowa’s strict new Hands-Free Driving Law went into full effect on January 1, 2026, police have already issued more than 3,600 citations and 3,100 warnings to motorists caught with phones in their hands.
The law is clear: any use of an electronic device while driving is prohibited unless it is in a dedicated hands-free mode. Beyond a single touch to activate or deactivate a function, the device must stay out of the driver’s hand.
While thousands of Iowans continue to prioritize their screens over safety, state officials point to the law as a literal lifesaver. The GTSB credits the enactment of this legislation as a primary reason Iowa recorded a historic low number of traffic fatalities in 2025.
By leveraging federally funded grants, the GTSB continues to partner with city, county, and state organizations to remove these distractions from the road. For the thousands of drivers who have already been ticketed this year, the message from Iowa law enforcement is simple: put the phone down or pay the price.