(Des Moines, IA) – The State of Iowa has seen a surge in traffic deaths this summer, prompting State Officials to push for newer, tougher cellphone texting laws. According to the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, 238 traffic deaths have been reported so far this year…that’s up 30-percent from last year. Pay Hoye, with the Traffic Safety Bureau says, cheap gas is partly to blame for the spike in traffic deaths…saying more people can afford to drive. Hoye says, more people are on the road and drivers are more distracted with their cell phones. Iowa is one of five states that doesn’t allow police to ticket drivers for texting unless they violate another traffic law.