New Iowa Hands-Free Driving Law Takes Effect: What Mahaska County Drivers Need to Know

OSKALOOSA — A new state law that prohibits nearly all handheld use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving is now in effect across Iowa. Law enforcement agencies, including the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, have pushed for stricter distracted driving measures for years to address the growing number of crashes linked to phones.

Under the new law, Iowa drivers cannot hold a phone while operating a vehicle — no exceptions for quick glances at texts, manual dialing, or checking social media. Anything that requires touching the device is now off-limits unless it’s done fully hands-free.

“You simply can’t do it while you’re driving,” Mahaska County Sheriff Russ Van Renterghem explained. “It’s just a good safety practice, and we want our deputies setting the example too.”…

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