(Undated)– A new law passed this year by the Iowa Legislature means that as of July first, drivers in Iowa may not touch their phones. Iowa State Patrol spokesman, Trooper Kevin Krull says April happens to be the perfect month to talk about a distracted driving law…
“It is, April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, so it works hand-in-hand and we’ll have a project coming up where we’re going to be doing some pretty good enforcement activities.”
Krull says you can still make and take calls, but it has to be through your car’s infotainment center or a hands-free device so that you don’t have to touch the phone…
“It goes back to that nobody is a good distracted driver. And when we’re talking distracted driving, we’re talking three elements usually with that whether it’s mindfulness where your mind is somewhere else; maybe it’s a visual distraction or maybe it’s a manual distraction where you’ve got something in your hands and it’s taking away that way. When you put that cell phone in your hand, you have all three of those in effect, because you’re thinking about that cell phone and whether it’s a text message of whatever you’re doing with the cell phone, your mind’s not on driving. Now it’s in your hand so you’ve got the manual and you’re looking at that actual cell phone so you’ve got all three elements.”
Krull explains the difference between what’s allowed now and what it will be like with the new law July 1st…
“Right now currently, there’s different things that you can do with your phone in your hand as an adult driver. The juveniles, those that are 18, they’re just not supposed to have it in their hand, and that’s where we’re taking everybody. We’re the 31st state, I believe is what I heard, to have a true hands-free, meaning like you say, it’s not that confusing: don’t have your phone in your hand. That’s the just of it. Just don’t have the phone in your hand. You can use your voice to whatever do it, but if it’s just in your hand you’re in violation of this law and it’s going to cost you $100 for the fine itself plus you’ve got surcharges and court costs and all that stuff, so you’re going to be over $200 by the time you’re done getting that education.”
Krull says under the new law, you’ll still be able to pull over to use your phone but there is a stipulation…
“Along as you’re legally parked. If you’re in traffic, you’re in violation. But as long as you’re legally parked and off the roadway and not in traffic. Just remember to turn your hazards on so people will know that you’re off the side of the road and give yourself that visual stuff, but if you’re in traffic. If you’re at a stop sign, you’re in traffic. If you’re at the stoplight, you’re in traffic. If you’re legally parked off the roadway, you’re okay.”
Krull adds that if you think you can multi-task while you’re driving, you need to think again.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KIWA in Sheldon)
