State Representative David E. Heaton talks with Iowa Chapter members during the Legislative Breakfast event.

On January 14, members of the Iowa Chapter joined staff from Blank Children’s Hospital and representatives from Reach Out and Read Iowa at the State Capitol for the annual Legislative Breakfast.  Chapter members had opportunities to speak directly to their representatives and senators about a variety of issues that affect children’s health.  Updated copies of “Children’s Guide to Legislative Issues” as well as other materials were also available for legislators and staffers to help guide and educate them on issues that affect children’s health in Iowa.

One of the specific issues highlighted during this event was recommended changes to Iowa’s current driver’s permit and driver’s license regulations to better protect young drivers.  With 48% of deaths of Iowa teens (ages 14-17) attributable to motor vehicle crashes, crashes are the leading cause of death for this age group.  The Iowa Chapter supports revisions such as increasing the length of time for a driver’s permit to 1-year to give young drivers more experience in all kinds of weather conditions.  Additional recommendations would include limiting the number of passengers under age 21, limiting night time driving without a licensed adult, and strengthening Iowa’s child restraint laws.  These policy recommendations are not only based on evidence showing reduced teen driver mortality rates as a result of similar changes in other states, but many of these recommendations are also supported by parents of teens. 

Additional information on this topic can be found on this link.