Iowa data shows hands-free enforcement reduces distracted driving

Flashback: Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the law April 2, 2025. It took effect July 1, 2025, with a six-month warning period before full enforcement began Jan. 1 of this year.

How it works: Nationwide's data is based on information from its Iowa customers who opt into incentive programs that offer discounts based on safe driving habits, which are measured via an app.

By the numbers: Screen-tapping fell 13.6% during full enforcement, up from a 5.9% dip during the warning period.

• Handheld calling dropped 9.1% during full enforcement, compared to 8.2% during the warning period.
• Drivers logged 140,700 fewer phone-handling motions than expected based on pre-law behavior.

Zoom in: Separate data from Cambridge Mobile Telematics, covering July 2025–May 2026, found 85 of Iowa's 99 counties saw phone motion decrease.

• Polk County cut distraction by 9.2%.

The bottom line: The two data sets suggest the law has helped prevent an estimated 470 crashes, 210 injuries and three fatalities, per Nationwide.