Iowa’s Texting Law Not Working: Law Enforcement

The Iowa texting and driving law that went into effect in July of 2017 hasn't been effective because it's too hard to enforce, law enforcement officials told WQAD.com.

Since the law was implemented, more than 960 people have received a summons for texting while behind the wheel. The Scott County Sheriff's office told the news outlet that the texting ban is too challenging to enforce.

Iowa's current law only forbids texting while driving, but does not rule out drivers navigating or changing music on a mobile device. This leaves police with the difficult task of identifying what the driver is actually doing with the device. The burden of proof is on law enforcement officials who say it is difficult to determine the actual action of a motorist with a cell phone in hand, according to the report.

Law enforcement in other parts of the stare concur, and several agree that a ban on hand-held devices would be easier to enforce and have more impact on overall roadway safety.

Related: Massachusetts Texting Law May Not Be Working