DES MOINES, IA, May 15, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Law Group of Iowa, a Des Moines car accident law firm representing injured Iowans across the state, is reminding drivers to familiarize themselves with Iowa's Hands-Free Driving Law, also known as Senate File 22, as active enforcement is now in full effect statewide.

Signed by Governor Kim Reynolds on April 2, 2025, the law made Iowa the 31st state to enact hands-free legislation. It took effect on July 1, 2025, followed by a six-month warning period. As of January 1, 2026, the Iowa State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies across the state have shifted from education to active enforcement.

The law prohibits drivers from holding or manually using electronic devices, including cell phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices. Texting, scrolling, entering GPS coordinates, streaming video, and placing calls are only permitted when the device is in a hands-free or voice-activated mode through options such as phone mounts, Bluetooth, or voice command systems.

A standard violation now carries a $100 fine, with court costs often pushing the total closer to $170. Penalties escalate to an additional $500 fine and up to a 90-day license suspension when a violation causes serious injury, and an additional $1,000 fine and up to a 180-day suspension when a violation results in a fatality. Citations are classified as moving violations, meaning they appear on a driver's Iowa DOT record and can affect insurance rates.

"I have seen how one moment behind the wheel can permanently change an Iowa family's life," said Christopher Johnston, founding partner of Law Group of Iowa. "Senate File 22 puts a clear standard on the books, and it gives crash victims a much stronger position when an at-fault driver tries to deny responsibility for the harm they caused."

The firm also notes that the new law has direct implications for personal injury claims. A handheld device citation on a police report can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a civil case, and attorneys may use the existence of a violation to support requests for cellular records showing what a driver was doing at the moment of impact. The new moving violation status also makes it more difficult for at-fault drivers and their insurers to dispute fault following a serious crash.

Drivers who have been injured in a crash caused by a distracted motorist may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Law Group of Iowa's Des Moines car accident attorneys handle most injury and accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no attorney's fees unless the firm recovers compensation on their behalf.

For more information on Iowa's Hands-Free Driving Law and resources to help drivers comply, visit https://dps.iowa.gov/hands-free-law-materials or DriveSmartIowa.com.

About Law Group of Iowa:

The Law Group of Iowa is a full-service legal firm in Des Moines built on strong advocacy, clear communication, and practical legal judgment. The firm represents clients across a broad range of practice areas, including car collisions, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, and more personal injury matters. Many injury and accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, with no attorney's fees owed unless the firm recovers compensation through a settlement or verdict. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, visit lawgroupofiowa.com.

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