A new law went into effect a year ago this month, banning distracted driving in Iowa. It seemed to be working for a while, but new reports say traffic fatalities resulting from texting and other tasks while driving are on the rise in 2018.

In 2017, 1,207 crashes resulted from distracted driving, including ten deaths. Data for the first six months of 2018 show 425 crashes and three fatalities, which authorities say is on pace to outnumber 2017.

Since July 1, 2017, when the law went into effect, the overall number of citations has been 1,219.

Part of the problem is the confusion in the enforcement of the law. It bans the use of phones while driving for the use of social media and texting--but NOT for GPS activities or, ironically, for making actual phone calls.

The police, of course, have been cracking down on distracted driving this week, as the Fourth of July is one of the busiest holiday driving weeks of the year.

As long as you're not doing so while driving, please be sure to download our FREE mobile app today, and have a happy and safe Independence Day!

[Via Gazette]

 

 

 

 

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