Texting ban will improve safety on Iowa roadways

Iowa streets and highways will be safer for all drivers because of a texting ban approved this week by the Iowa Senate.

House File 2456 would make it illegal to read, write or send a text-based message unless the vehicle is stopped and off the roadway. The use of GPS devices will still be permitted.

At any given moment, 1 percent of drivers on the road are texting. Those drivers can be as much as 23 times more likely to crash, putting everyone on the road at risk.

For one year after the law goes into effect, officers will issue warnings to violators while the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety step up efforts to educate the public about the dangers of texting while driving.

After the law is in effect for a year, those caught texting while driving will be subject to a $100 ticket. There are also heightened penalties if someone is killed or seriously injured.

After passing the Iowa Senate and House in different forms, the legislation now returns to the House.