House File 542 - Introduced HOUSE FILE 542 BY COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY (SUCCESSOR TO HF 98) A BILL FOR An Act relating to operators of motor vehicles approaching 1 certain slow-moving authorized emergency vehicles, and 2 making penalties applicable. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 1999HV (1) 91 th/ns
H.F. 542 Section 1. Section 321.323A, subsection 1, unnumbered 1 paragraph 1, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows: 2 The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary or 3 slow-moving authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying 4 flashing lights, as permitted under section 321.423 , shall 5 approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and 6 shall proceed in one of the following manners, absent any other 7 direction by a peace officer: 8 Sec. 2. Section 321.323A, Code 2025, is amended by adding 9 the following new subsection: 10 NEW SUBSECTION . 5. For purposes of this section, 11 slow-moving means that a vehicle is being operated at a speed 12 of fifteen miles per hour or less on, along, or adjacent to the 13 roadway by a person in connection with the persons official 14 job duties. 15 EXPLANATION 16 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 17 the explanations substance by the members of the general assembly. 18 Under current law, Code section 321.323A requires the 19 operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized 20 emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing lights to 21 approach the vehicle with due caution and make a lane change 22 into a lane not adjacent to the vehicle if possible in the 23 existing safety and traffic conditions, or if a lane change 24 would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the 25 speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed 26 for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed 27 must be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to 28 stop. This bill applies these requirements when approaching 29 slow-moving (15 miles per hour or less) authorized emergency 30 vehicles. The bill does not amend similar cautionary approach 31 requirements relating to stationary towing or recovery 32 vehicles, utility maintenance vehicles, municipal maintenance 33 vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles, construction vehicles, 34 and solid waste or recycling collection service vehicles. 35 -1- LSB 1999HV (1) 91 th/ns 1/ 2
H.F. 542 A violation of Code section 321.323A is a simple misdemeanor 1 punishable by a scheduled fine of $135. By operation of law, 2 a person convicted of a violation of Code section 321.323A 3 which resulted in an accident causing bodily injury to or the 4 death of another person may be subject to additional penalties 5 including a fine of $500 for a violation causing bodily injury 6 to another person and a fine of $1,000 for a violation causing 7 death. The department of transportation is required to suspend 8 the drivers license of a person who is convicted of violating 9 Code section 321.323A for 90 days if the violation caused 10 damage to the property of another person; 180 days if the 11 violation caused bodily injury to another person; and one year 12 if the violation caused death. 13 -2- LSB 1999HV (1) 91 th/ns 2/ 2