(Radio Iowa) – Iowans aren’t imagining things if they think they’re seeing more cars being pulled over along the state’s roads by law enforcement lately. A Special Traffic Enforcement Program, or STEP, is underway now through June 1st. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Paul Gardner says this STEP focuses on making sure people are belted in, and that drivers aren’t impaired or driving distracted.

“We’ve got graduations, a lot of last-minute school events that come out because school will be out for the summer, a lot of events going on,” Garnder says. “So this is the gateway to summer and this is definitely one of our busiest travel times throughout the year. We’ll see more vehicles on the road. They’re estimating an increase in travel not only in Iowa but nationwide.” Distracted driving is becoming a larger problem in Iowa, Gardner says, and he urges motorists to concentrate on the road.

“Typically, we think of distracted driving involving a cell phone, but there’s so many other distractions. You may be looking at billboards, talking to passengers, changing the radio station, all kinds of things that can take your attention away from the road,” Gardner says. “Cell phones are definitely a hybrid version of distracted driving, especially now, because everything is done on the cell phone it seems.” Gardner says cell phones are the focus of much attention during this STEP, and phones will be even more top-of-mind later this summer.

Iowa State Patrol photo

“We’re going to be enacting a hands-free bill that has been passed through the Iowa legislature,” Gardner says, “that will make holding a cell phone or communicating on a cell phone, whether it be a phone call or a text while you’re physically holding a cell phone and you’re behind the wheel, that will be illegal across the board coming July 1st.” Law officers will only be able to give you a warning for now, but starting January 1st, holding a cell phone while driving may bring a 100-dollar fine.

Gardner, who’s based in Fort Dodge, urges anyone who may be drinking during holiday weekend events to find a safe way home, whether it’s through a designated driver, a taxi or a ride-sharing service. Also, he reminds, seat belts save lives. “My advice to those who are traveling, make sure everyone’s buckled up in your vehicle, no matter how long of a trip you’re taking, whether it be just a few blocks down the street or if you plan on taking a longer trip across the state or regionally, make sure that you and your passengers are completely buckled up,” Gardner says.

“Those who are under 18, if you have children in there, even teenagers under 18, no matter where they’re seated in the vehicle, have to be restrained.” A report from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau finds 44-percent of the people who died on Iowa roads last year were unbuckled, which translates to 108 lives lost. In a G-T-S-B survey of Iowans, 88% reported always buckling up in the front seat, while 67% say they always buckle up in the back seat.