Campaign Targeting Distracted Driving Underway Through Monday (04.08)

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. 

Through Monday (04.08), the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa on the campaign, “No One is a Good DISTRACTED Driver,” to curb the unsafe trend of distracted driving”

That’s Trooper Tom Williams with the Mason City District office of the Iowa State Patrol, who says law enforcement can stop any driver who is texting (reading, writing, or sending) or using any portable electronic device unless the vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the road.

Even if you use your device hands-free, you’re not completely protected.

And, driver distractions can come in many different forms.

Williams adds that the dangers of being distracted while driving can increase in just a short distance.

In a 2023 GTSB State Fair survey of over 1,450 Iowans, 51% admitted to always or sometimes driving with a cellphone in hand.