Hands-free Driving Laws Save Lives
By Erin Engle, Vice President – Counsel
When I first started driving, distractions looked different. I remember untangling cords on a portable CD player and flipping through CDs at a stoplight just to find the right song. Today, drivers are dealing with something more constant and all-encompassing: phones and in-car touch screens that can pull attention away from the road in an instant.
That’s why interactive, driver-controlled technology is a regular topic of conversation at State Farm. We work at the state and federal levels to educate public policymakers through research to inform real-world driver solutions that reduce injuries and save lives. One example of our work in action is our support for Congressman Kevin Mullin’s H.R. 3360, which calls for more research into how driver-controlled technology – like touchscreens – affects attention behind the wheel.
We know that our discussions and better research help policymakers write smarter laws that reflect how people actually drive today. For example, a new State Farm survey found that distracted driving is the top roadway safety concern among U.S. licensed drivers ages 18 to 75. We also found that roughly 70% of drivers agree that hands-free laws would help reduce driver distraction.
Hands-free laws
Distracted driving is personal for many of us. Tragically, in 2020, State Farm agent Reyna Immerfall of Ankeny, Iowa, lost her nephew Derrius in a crash involving a distracted driver. Reyna and her family turned their grief into action and took their call for change to the Iowa legislature.
State Farm’s advocacy team worked alongside Reyna and her family to support hands-free legislation. In July 2025, Iowa passed a hands-free law that limits drivers from handling their phones while driving. According to data from Cambridge Mobile Telematics, phone distraction fell 3.9% in the first month after the law took effect.
That kind of progress is what we’re working toward across the country. A strong hands-free law includes primary enforcement banning holding or manipulating an electronic device while operating a motor vehicle and bans the use of electronic devices by all novice drivers. State Farm provides lawmakers with strong data so they can make informed choices. We partner with groups like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety, StopDistraction.org, Safe Kids Worldwide and others to share research, promote safer habits and support practical solutions. Putting customers first, serving communities, and innovating to protect what matters most are at the heart of our mission.
Recognizing progress
This year State Farm recognized four state legislators for their support and leadership to pass auto safety laws and policies in their respective states. *
2025 awardees of the Good Neighbor Auto Safety Champion Award include:
- Iowa State Representative Ann Meyer
- Missouri State Senator Jason Bean
- New Jersey State Senator Patrick Diegnan
- Pennsylvania State Senator Rosemary Brown
The driver’s role
Drivers play a key role, too, because safer roads start with the decisions drivers make every day. Somewhere along the way, many of us started to believe multitasking behind the wheel is possible. But when you’re searching for a restaurant on a screen, reading a text, recording and streaming videos, or responding to an email while driving, it’s distraction – plain and simple.
Even a quick glance away from the road can have serious consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Hands-free laws can help reduce phone-handling behind the wheel, but real safety also comes down to the choices we make every day.
Here are a few simple ways to stay focused:
- Set it before you go. Start your route, music and calls before you leave.
- Use Do Not Disturb while driving. Most messages can wait until you arrive.
- Keep your phone out of reach. A bag, console or glove box removes the temptation.
- Use voice controls when needed – but keep your eyes on the road. Hands-free is safer than handheld but focus still matters.
- Secure kids and pets. Buckle everyone in so you’re not turning around while driving.
- Be mindful. State Farm is fostering a culture of mindful driving called Drivefulness™ by encouraging individuals to be present and focus on their drive.
The bottom line
Distracted driving is preventable. With better research, smarter laws and everyday choices, we can reduce crashes and protect the people we share the road with — our families, neighbors and communities. Together, we can meet this challenge with urgency, empathy and innovation. At State Farm, we’re proud to stand alongside independent contractor agents, employees, lawmakers and communities to promote safer roads for everyone.
* The Good Neighbor Auto Safety Award does not represent an endorsement of any political candidate, party, or campaign.
Distracted Driver Infographic
About State Farm:
For over 100 years, the mission of State Farm has been to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance combined in the United States. Its more than 19,200 agent offices and over 62,000 employees serve over 96 million policies and accounts – including auto, fire, life, health, commercial policies and financial services accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 32 on the 2025 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.
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