A bill that is being worked on in the Iowa Legislature could force motorists to no longer handle a cellphone while driving.

House District 47 Representative Carter Nordman (R-Panora) tells Raccoon Valley Radio he was hesitant about Senate File 547 that would require motorists to use hands-free cellphones while they are driving, but says the law enforcement community is wanting this bill to become law.

“You have groups like the Iowa State Police Association, the Iowa Department of Public Safety, Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association, the State Police Officers Council, they’re all registered in favor of the bill and are the ones who are asking for it and would like to see it move forward. So if that’s the case I imagine it’s going to make their job easier and this is really about safety on our roadways.”   

Currently, law enforcement can pull someone over for texting while driving, but that law is difficult to enforce. 

District 24 Senator Jesse Green (R-Boone) says there are ways for older vehicles that don’t have connectivity for hands-free cellphones to be compliant, should this bill become law.

“Well it’s my understanding that there’s other things out there that are low cost that cost anywhere from $5-$10 that the cars that are not available for hands-free, those older cars can be made to accommodate those types of situations.”

Nordman adds the bill also has exceptions that would allow someone to handle a cellphone while driving, including trying to call 911 or responding to an emergency situation. Click the link below to view the bill.

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=SF547&ga=90