A bill is making its way through the Iowa Senate that would make it illegal to drive while looking at your phone and other electronic devices.

The bill, commonly referred to as the “Hands-Free” Bill, would ban the use of an electronic communication device while you are driving unless it is in the hands-free mode. The only exception would be GPS-only devices. Greene County Sheriff Jack Williams is in favor of the proposed legislation. “I think it’s still a really good idea. We still see a lot of drivers out there looking down at their phone to find somebody in their contacts to call them. So anything that can keep their hands free and on the steering wheel and looking forward would be a great thing.”

Two years ago a law was passed that made texting while driving illegal, but not as a primary offense. Which meant, law enforcement agencies needed another reason for pulling a motorist over before they could inquire about texting. Williams says that law continues to be an issue. “It’s very difficult (to enforce). About the only time you’re able to prove it (in court) is if you actually seize the phone and get a search warrant to look at it to see if they were texting at that time, which is a lot of work for a citation.”

Williams adds that the proposed bill would make it easier to enforce because anytime they see a cellphone held in someone’s hand while driving, they could be pulled over and cited. The bill was moved out of a senate committee and is now eligible for full floor debate.