The man told the Fort Dodge Republican that his vehicle had been struck from behind by another vehicle and was pushed into a roadside ditch.

“The girl who pushed him into the ditch never looked up from her phone,” Meyer said Monday evening.

That story and her own experiences seeing vehicles weaving in and out of traffic while their drivers talked on the phone prompted her to introduce a bill that would outlaw the use of electronic communication devices while driving unless they are in a hands-free or voice-activated mode.

“Nothing takes your attention away from the road like using an electronic device,” she said.

“I feel like we shouldn’t even have to have this conversation because the danger is so obvious,” she added.

Texting while driving was outlawed in Iowa several years ago. Meyer’s bill would address other uses of electronic devices.

The measure applies to phones, tablets, computers and other electronic devices. She said the bill makes using those devices while driving a primary offense, which means law enforcement officers could stop a driver for that reason alone. Officers could not confiscate the phone or examine its contents, she said.

Meyer’s bill includes a $100 fine for violations. A Senate version includes a $30 fine. Meyer said she thinks a higher fine would be better for discouraging people from using their devices while driving.

If signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds, Meyer’s proposal would go into effect July 1. However, from July 1 to Jan. 1, 2021, law enforcement officers could only issue warnings rather than citations.

The bill was approved unanimously by the House Transportation Committee last week. It now awaits action on the House floor.

“I believe it’s a bill that can get to the governor’s desk,” Meyer said.

A bill to outlaw the use of cell phones while driving was unsuccessfully introduced about 20 years ago by one of Meyer’s predecessors, state Rep. Mike Cormack, R-Fort Dodge.