HF 151 (LSB 1915YH (3) 85)

HOUSE FILE 151

BY  JORGENSEN

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring the driver of a motor vehicle to maintain a certain distance when passing a bicycle on a highway, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.299, subsection 1, Code 2013, is amended to read as follows:
   1.
  a.  The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the other vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
   b.  The driver of a motor vehicle, when overtaking and passing a bicycle, shall leave a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of not less than three feet and shall maintain such clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle, whether the bicycle is traveling on the roadway or on a bicycle lane or shoulder adjacent to the roadway.
EXPLANATION
   This bill requires the driver of a motor vehicle, when passing a bicycle, to maintain a safe distance between the motor vehicle and the bicycle of at least three feet until safely past the bicycle. The requirement applies whether the bicycle is being ridden on the roadway or on a bicycle lane or shoulder adjacent to the roadway.
   Pursuant to current law, a violation of motor vehicle laws governing overtaking and passing is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a scheduled fine of $100. In addition, if the violation causes serious injury to another person, the court may impose an additional fine of $500 or driver’s license suspension for up to 90 days, or both. If the violation results in an accident causing a death, the court may impose an additional fine of $1,000 or driver’s license suspension for up to 180 days, or both.