-Submitted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety

Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing safety issues on the roads today. Distracted drivers aren’t just a threat to themselves: they’re a danger to everyone else on the road. With more portable technology now than ever, driver distractions have risen to unprecedented numbers. We live in a world where people expect instant, real-time information 24 hours-a-day and those desires do not stop just because people get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Not all distractions are caused by electronic devices but drivers using hand-held devices while driving are FOUR times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves or others.

Teen Driver Cell Phone Statistics: 11 teens die every day as a result of texting while driving. According to an AAA poll, 94{99cd714f394079a7f0ed2eb1518dd31342ff3ceb5b6c267c3ad8acd5b5a7d66b} of teen drivers acknowledge the dangers of texting and driving, but 35{99cd714f394079a7f0ed2eb1518dd31342ff3ceb5b6c267c3ad8acd5b5a7d66b} admitted to doing it anyway. 21{99cd714f394079a7f0ed2eb1518dd31342ff3ceb5b6c267c3ad8acd5b5a7d66b} of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents were distracted by their cell phones.

To combat distracted driving, the Iowa Legislature passed a more comprehensive electronic communication devices law. Effective July 1, 2017, Iowa’s distracted driving law became a primary law meaning a law enforcement officer can stop any driver who is texting (reading, writing, or sending) or using any other portable electronic device, unless the motor vehicle is at a complete stop and off the traveled portion of the roadway.

Be part of the solution: “Put It Down” when driving!