As April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Indianola Police Department is joining law enforcement agencies across Iowa in a focused enforcement effort to reduce distraction-related crashes.
From April 6-10, 2026, drivers in and around Indianola will see increased patrols aimed at enforcing Iowa’s Hands-Free Driving Law and reminding motorists to keep their attention on the road. This local effort is part of a statewide initiative supported by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) and the Central Iowa Traffic Safety Task Force. The enforcement wave also aligns with the national distracted driving campaign taking place April 6-13.
“Distracted driving continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable crashes,” said Indianola Police Interim Lieutenant Brad Metcalf. “Taking your eyes off the road – even for a moment – puts you, your passengers and everyone around you at risk.”
Iowa’s Hands-Free Driving Law, which prohibits the use of electronic devices beyond a single touch while driving unless in hands‑free mode, entered full enforcement on January 1, 2026. Since then, more than 2,400 citations and 1,900 warnings have been issued statewide, according to data collected by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. State officials credit the law as a key component in helping reduce traffic fatalities to a historic low in 2025.
The Indianola Police Department encourages drivers to take advantage of the many hands‑free options available, including voice commands, Bluetooth connectivity, speakerphone, phone mounts or simple one‑touch activation features. Violating Iowa Code 321.276 is now a moving violation and carries a $170 fine. Additional enforcement by the Indianola Police Department is supported through a GTSB grant awarded in 2025.
“Our goal is to help drivers make a safe choice by putting electronic devices down,” Metcalf said, “because one text or call could wreck it all.”
For more information about the Indianola Police Department, please visit: indianolaiowa.gov/police.