Wednesday, Kristi Castenson, of Harcourt, her children, and grandchildren celebrated as Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a distracted driving bill into law.

“We’re ecstatic that finally our prayers have been answered,” said Castenson. “I hope that no other family will ever have to go through this.”

The new law bans the use of cellphones and other electronic devices behind the wheel unless they are in hands-free mode.

The bill had been championed for years by state Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, who introduced a version of it repeatedly until it passed this year.

Violations of the hands-free driving law will be punishable by a fine of $100, up from $45 under the current law. Someone who is on their phone and in an accident that causes serious injury will be subject to a $500 fine as well as possible suspension of their drivers license. In an accident that causes death, the driver will receive a $1,000 fine.

“Drivers need to be focused on driving,” said Castenson. “This will help to protect our loved ones on the road.”

The law does contain exceptions, including for public safety officials, health care workers responding to an emergency, utility workers, public transit workers, and drivers of farm equipment for livestock.

The legislation takes effect July 1. Law enforcement will issue warnings until Jan. 1, 2026.

“This law is another positive step to keep Iowa roadways, motorists, and cyclists safe,” said Webster County Chief Deputy Derek Christie. “From a law enforcement perspective, we often see accidents involving distracted driving. These laws, while some may disagree, will save lives in Iowa and Webster County.”

“Not long-ago friends and family members in Harcourt felt the devastating effects of distracted driving when they lost two loved ones in a vehicle collision,” he added. “Families of lost loved ones across Iowa have fought hard to pass this law in efforts to keep other Iowans safe on the roadways. We wholeheartedly support this new law and, like other law enforcement agencies, will begin the education process of distracted driving warnings before any citations will be issued. With vehicle Bluetooth technology and speaker-phone capabilities, the transition to hands-free driving should be effortless.”