Hands-Free Warning Grace Period Ends Wednesday (12.31)

The grace period for law enforcement to issue warnings to drivers who violate Iowa’s new hands-free law comes to an end Wednesday (12.31).

That’s Trooper Tom Williams with the Iowa State Patrol’s Mason City District office, who says he’s issued his fair share of hands-free warnings, but it could’ve easily been more.

Charles City Police Captain Brandon Franke says motorists are still learning what constitutes hands-free.

With court costs and other fees that come with a hands-free fine, the total price tag for a violation is estimated at about $170.

According to a 2024 Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau survey of over 1,300 Iowans revealed that 90% of respondents considered using a cell phone while driving to be extremely dangerous, even though 50% admitted to driving with a phone in their hand.