AMES, Iowa — Governor Reynolds signed a bill which had been debated for years, making Iowa a hands-free only state. Iowa joins neighbor Minnesota with a hand-free cell phone law.

Karl Knutson from the Twin Cities area said he’s used to this hands-free law.

“That’s how we’ve always driven, it’s what we’re used to,” said Knutsen. “It really makes no difference on my driving I guess, my car has hands-free technology so I can answer calls and stuff on there listen to music I don’t have to touch my phone.”

On the Iowa State Campus one student said the law would help with concerns for safety around the campus.

“I’m all for it especially if people are on their phone while driving unsafe for pedestrians,” said Isabel Wolf, an ISU Student from Ames. “I have like through the Bluetooth so if I call, I can answer it like on my system.”

Not everyone has a newer car with a screen to display hands-free music and phones.

“I don’t know how it works with people with older cars like me,” said Chaney Coppinger, an ISU Student from Waukee.  “I feel like it’ll be a big change for some people, but manageable, but it definitely will cause some issues for some.” 

The new hands-free law goes into effect on July 1.

Iowa News: