FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2017
Contact: Tara Gill, 202-408-1711, tgill@saferoads.org
STATEMENT OF JACKIE GILLAN, PRESIDENT OF ADVOCATES FOR HIGHWAY AND AUTO SAFETY, ON IOWA STRENGTHENING ITS DISTRACTED DRIVING LAW
Iowa becomes 42nd state plus DC to enact an optimal texting ban law
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (Advocates) commends Governor Terry Branstad (R) and the Iowa Legislature for enacting Senate File (SF 234) to ban all drivers from texting, subject to primary enforcement. Previously the law was subject to secondary enforcement, preventing law enforcement from citing a driver who was texting while driving unless the officer observed an additional violation. Considering the 27 percent spike in traffic fatalities on Iowa roads in 2016 and the prevalence of distracted driving, this legislation is critical, responsive and timely. Iowa’s upgraded texting ban will save lives, reduce injuries and help to contain associated crash costs.
Advocates thanks and congratulates Governor Branstad and the Iowa Legislature for their leadership to reduce distracted driving and save lives.
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