SF 2093 (LSB 5683XS (3) 87)

SENATE FILE 2093

BY  SCHNEIDER

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the operation of rescue vehicles when responding to an emergency, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.231, subsections 3 and 4, Code 2018, are amended to read as follows:
   3.  The driver of a fire department vehicle, police vehicle, rescue vehicle, or ambulance, or a peace officer riding a police bicycle in the line of duty, may do any of the following:
   a.  Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.
   b.  Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as the driver does not endanger life or property.
   4.  The exemptions granted to an authorized emergency vehicle under subsection 2 and for to a fire department vehicle, police vehicle, rescue vehicle, or ambulance as provided in subsection 3 shall apply only when such vehicle is making use of an audible signaling device meeting the requirements of section 321.433 or a visual signaling device, except that use of an audible or visual signaling device shall not be required when exercising the exemption granted under subsection 3, paragraph “b”, of this section when the vehicle is operated by a peace officer, pursuing a suspected violator of the speed restrictions imposed by or pursuant to this chapter, for the purpose of determining the speed of travel of such suspected violator.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Under current law, the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may exercise certain driving privileges relating to parking and directional signs when responding to an emergency call. In addition, certain types of authorized emergency vehicles including fire department vehicles, police vehicles, and ambulances, as well as peace officers riding on police bicycles, may proceed past red stop signals or stop signs and exceed speed limits while exercising necessary safety precautions and using an audible or visual signal. This bill includes rescue vehicles in the list of authorized emergency vehicles that may ignore red stop signals or stop signs and exceed speed limits in emergency situations. Under Code section 321.1, a “rescue vehicle” is a motor vehicle which is equipped with rescue, fire, or life support equipment used to assist and rescue persons in emergencies or support emergency personnel in the performance of their duties. Under current law, a violation of Code section 321.231 is punishable by a scheduled fine of $100.