A bill for an act relating to operators of motor vehicles approaching certain slow-moving authorized emergency vehicles, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 542.)
Summary
HF 98 expands Iowa’s “move over” style traffic-safety requirements to cover not only stationary authorized emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights, but also authorized emergency vehicles that are moving slowly. Under the bill, drivers approaching a slow-moving authorized emergency vehicle must use due caution and follow the same required response as when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle, unless a peace officer directs otherwise.
The bill defines “slow-moving” for this purpose as a vehicle operated at 15 miles per hour or less on, along, or adjacent to the roadway by a person performing official job duties. The measure also ties violations of this section to existing penalties, including a simple misdemeanor and scheduled fines, with enhanced consequences when a violation results in property damage, bodily injury, or death.
Impact
The bill amends Iowa Code section 321.323A to broaden the scope of driver duties around emergency vehicles and to make clear that the statute applies to slow-moving authorized emergency vehicles as defined in the bill. It does not change the separate cautionary approach rules for towing/recovery vehicles, utility maintenance vehicles, municipal maintenance vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles, construction vehicles, or solid waste/recycling collection vehicles. Existing penalties remain applicable, including fines and driver’s license suspensions tied to the severity of any resulting harm.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong support and little controversy: the House Committee on Public Safety approved the bill unanimously, 20-0. There are no committee transcripts indicating opposition or significant debate in the materials provided. The bill was later renumbered as HF 542, which suggests it advanced through the process in substantially the same form.
Contention
The main policy question is the scope of the new duty on motorists: the bill extends protections to slow-moving authorized emergency vehicles, but only when they are traveling 15 miles per hour or less and being operated in connection with official job duties. A related point is that the bill does not extend the same treatment to other slow-moving roadside work vehicles, which may leave those categories governed by separate existing rules. No recorded opposition appears in the provided materials, and the committee vote was unanimous.
Similar To
A bill for an act relating to operators of motor vehicles approaching certain slow-moving authorized emergency vehicles, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly HF 98.)
A bill for an act relating to operators of motor vehicles approaching certain slow-moving authorized emergency vehicles, and making penalties applicable.(Formerly HF 98.)
A bill for an act relating to the recycling of battery electric motor vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicles, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 548.)
A bill for an act relating to reasonable and prudent following distances while a person is operating a motor vehicle, and making penalties applicable.(See HF 770.)