(Des Moines)– The Iowa Department of Transportation is recommending changes to state traffic laws, after nearly 380 people died on Iowa roads in 2023.
A safety plan by the Iowa Department of Transportation lays out ways state lawmakers could lower that number, like banning drivers from using their phones behind the wheel, requiring all passengers use their seat belt, and making motorcycle riders under a certain age wear a helmet.
2023 was the second deadliest year on Iowa roads in the last 12 years. Only 2016 was higher, with more than 400 traffic-related deaths.