State Farm Honors Lawmakers as Hands-Free Laws Gain National Momentum

BLOOMINGTON, IL – April 29, 2026 – By Tyler Flores

In a move highlighting the growing convergence of corporate advocacy and public safety, insurance giant State Farm has recognized four state legislators with its 2025 Good Neighbor Auto Safety Champion Award. The award celebrates their pivotal roles in championing and passing laws aimed at curbing the deadly epidemic of distracted driving, a crisis responsible for thousands of deaths and an estimated $100 billion in economic costs annually.

The honorees—Iowa State Representative Ann Meyer, Missouri State Senator Jason Bean, New Jersey State Senator Patrick Diegnan, and Pennsylvania State Senator Rosemary Brown—were lauded for their leadership in pushing for legislation that requires drivers to put their phones down and focus on the road.

"State Farm created the Good Neighbor Auto Safety Champion Award to recognize lawmakers who are making a real difference in preventing distracted driving and saving lives," said Erin Engle, Vice President – Counsel at State Farm, in a statement. "The hands-free law passed in Iowa is one of several examples of how state action can lead to safer roads."

A New Wave of Legislative Action

The awards come as a wave of hands-free legislation sweeps across the country. The work of the recognized lawmakers provides a clear snapshot of this national trend. In Pennsylvania, Senator Rosemary Brown championed "Paul Miller's Law," signed in June 2024 and named for a man killed by a distracted truck driver. The law, which becomes fully enforceable with fines in June 2026 after a one-year warning period, bans all handheld device use while driving, even when stopped in traffic.

Similarly, Missouri's "Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law," co-sponsored by Senator Jason Bean, took effect in August 2023, making it illegal to hold a phone to text, call, or stream video. After a lengthy warning period, citations began in January 2025, marking a significant policy shift for a state that was previously one of the last without a comprehensive ban for all drivers.

In Iowa, Representative Ann Meyer's five-year effort culminated in a hands-free law that took effect in July 2025. The legislation makes it a primary offense to hold or operate an electronic device while driving, with fines beginning in January 2026. This made Iowa the 31st state to enact such a measure, a clear indicator of the growing consensus on the issue. New Jersey, represented by honoree Senator Patrick Diegnan, has been a forerunner, with a comprehensive hands-free law in place since 2014. Senator Diegnan continues to be a vocal advocate for road safety, pushing for initiatives like a "Target Zero Commission" to eliminate traffic fatalities in the state.

The Sobering Statistics of Distraction

The legislative momentum is a direct response to the staggering human and economic toll of distracted driving. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted drivers are a factor in a shocking 29% of all motor vehicle crashes. This translates to more than 10,000 fatalities and 1.3 million injuries each year. The economic fallout is equally immense, with an estimated annual cost approaching $100 billion.

A recent study commissioned by State Farm underscores that this danger is top of mind for the public. Among 1,901 licensed drivers surveyed, distracted driving emerged as the number one roadway safety concern, cited by more than half of respondents. It ranked higher than aggressive driving (45%), alcohol-impaired driving (41%), and speeding (38%), demonstrating a clear public mandate for action.

Corporate Advocacy Meets Public Good

State Farm's public recognition of lawmakers is part of a broader, long-term strategy that aligns its business interests with societal well-being. As the nation's largest auto insurer, the company has a direct financial stake in reducing the frequency and severity of crashes. Fewer accidents mean fewer claims, which can lead to more stable and affordable insurance premiums for consumers.

The company's advocacy extends far beyond these awards. It is a founding member of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and partners with organizations like the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) to fund research and promote safety education. This multi-pronged approach of lobbying, public awareness campaigns, and research support positions the insurer as a key player in shaping public policy on road safety.

This strategy appears to be effective. A March 2024 report from the GHSA and Cambridge Mobile Telematics found a direct correlation between the enactment of strong hands-free laws and a measurable reduction in distracted driving behaviors in states like Ohio and Missouri. For insurers, this data provides a clear business case: effective laws lead to safer drivers, which ultimately strengthens the company's bottom line while saving lives.

Are Hands-Free Laws Enough?

While the push for hands-free legislation marks significant progress, some safety experts argue it doesn't go far enough. The core of their argument rests on the difference between manual and cognitive distraction. Hands-free laws effectively address the manual distraction of holding a phone, but they do little to mitigate the cognitive load of a conversation.

The National Safety Council (NSC) has been a vocal proponent of a complete ban on all cell phone use while driving, including through hands-free systems. The organization cites numerous studies showing that the brain remains dangerously preoccupied during a phone conversation, delaying reaction times and causing drivers to miss crucial environmental cues, a phenomenon sometimes called "inattention blindness."

"When you're on a call, even if both hands are on the wheel, your head is in the call, and not on your driving," the NSC warns, highlighting a critical gap between public perception and scientific reality. An NSC poll found that 80% of drivers believe hands-free devices are a safer option, a belief that research does not support. This disconnect poses a significant challenge for creating a truly safe driving culture.

As the legislative landscape continues to evolve, with 33 states and the District of Columbia now prohibiting handheld cell phone use, the conversation is slowly beginning to shift. The success of hands-free laws is paving the way for a deeper discussion about the nature of attention itself and what it will ultimately take to persuade drivers to fully commit their focus to the complex task of driving.