Several people got a personal warning as the new hands-free cellphone law went into effect Tuesday. Sergeant Alex Dinkla with the Iowa State Patrol says there were 201 warnings issued on the law’s first day.
Dinkla says it’s a matter of changing your old routine.
Dinkla says you have to remember your car or truck weighs several thousand pounds and driving should be the only focus.
He says there have been 24 fatal crashes in Iowa during the Independence Day holiday the last three years.
Warnings will be issued to those caught holding their cellphone and driving through December 31st to give everyone time to adjust. The fine for handling a cell phone while driving starting January 1st will be 100 dollars. There are some exemptions in the bill for people like bus drivers, emergency responders and people driving farm machinery.
