A bill regarding changes to phone use while driving in Iowa was introduced Monday. House File 85 “prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone unless the mobile telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking and is used in that manner.” There are a few exceptions allowed for emergency personnel and someone receiving safety-related information. Penalties mirror the current ones set for texting while driving – a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $30 and it is not a moving violation.

At the recent legislative briefing held in Washington state senators Kevin Kinney and Rich Taylor, along with representatives Dave Heaton and Jarad Klein stated they’d support making texting and driving a primary offense. Kinney, a reserve sheriff’s deputy, said last year he helped extricate a man from a car wreck on the interstate with the jaws of life. Traffic had begun to slow for a wreck ahead, and this car went under a semi, when the pressure was released from the dash, the man’s arm fell from his chest and his phone was in his hand with the text message he was typing. Kinney took photos from the scene to the state house last year to show it was obvious that drivers are doing this.

House File 85 does not create a new bill, but amends the current provisions.