Why?

In a 2023 GTSB State Fair survey of over 1,450 Iowans, 51% admitted to always or sometimes driving with a cell phone in hand. Based on the number of registered drivers in Iowa, that translates to over 1.2 million distracted drivers. Law enforcement is cracking down on distracted driving. In 2023, over 9,000 drivers were issued citations for illegal use of an electronic device while driving compared to 1,438 in 2022. *

GTSB is partnering with law enforcement across Iowa April 1-8, to remind people...No One is a Good Distracted Driver. This Enforcement effort occurs during April, which is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

We appreciate your commitment to traffic safety. If you do not have a contract with GTSB, your agency can still support the effort by encouraging your community to make safe driving a priority. Help us spread the message.

Media

Below is a link to the press release GTSB sent to media outlets on March 28. Feel free to forward to local contacts with details about enforcement efforts in your community.

No One is a Good Distracted Driver

Graphics/Messaging

GTSB has been working with media partner, ZLR Ignition to create new PSAs. These were developed after a series of focus groups with Iowa drivers. We talked about driving behavior, heard feedback on current campaigns, and learned what influences them.

We're proud of the materials we've created and excited to share with traffic safety advocates. Below are distracted graphics your agency can use anytime. We'll also be rolling out occupant, speed, impaired, and motorcycle PSAs. (Our website is changing platforms. These links will expire on April 15. If you miss the window to download, contact GTSB.)

GTSB - Distracted
GTSB - Distracted Youth
GTSB - Distracted General
Traffic Safety Marketing (TSM) is a free resource. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has created campaign materials for many program areas. Below is a link to NHTSA's new campaign, Put the Phone Away or Pay. There are different size graphics and messages in Spanish on TSM. We encourage you to explore the website and see all it offers.
Distracted-Enforcement

Other Resources

End Distracted Driving is a non-profit offering distracted driving resources, pledges, and tutorials for disabling notifications while driving.

NHTSA also offers data and information.

Upcoming

April 18 - 22, 2024 - Impaired Driving sTEP wave GTSB will not be issuing a media release for this wave. Below are links to NHTSA's Drug-Impaired Driving Campaign, If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. You can also find these images on Traffic Safety Marketing.

Feel Different, Drive Different
Feel Different, Drive Different 2

Contact:

Colleen Powell

GTSB Media and Communications Coordinator
cpowell@dps.state.ia.us
515-725-6033
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