HSB 127 (LSB 2301YC (1) 88)

HOUSE FILE _____ 

BY  (PROPOSED COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION BILL BY CHAIRPERSON HINSON)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to distance requirements for certain motor vehicles following other vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.309, Code 2019, is amended to read as follows:
   321.309  Towing —— convoys.
   1.  A person shall not pull or tow by motor vehicle, for hire, another motor vehicle over any highway outside the limits of any incorporated city, except in case of temporary movement of a disabled motor vehicle to the place where repairs will be made, unless the person has complied with the provisions of sections 321.57 and 321.58. Provided, however, if the person is a nonresident of the state of Iowa and has complied with the laws of the state of that person’s residence governing licensing and registration as a transporter of motor vehicles, the person shall not be required to pay the fee provided in section 321.58 but only to submit proof of the person’s status as a bona fide manufacturer or transporter as may reasonably be required by the department.
   2.  A person pulling or towing by motor vehicle another motor vehicle in convoy or caravan shall maintain a distance of at least five hundred feet between the units of the convoy or caravan.
    Sec. 2.  Section 321.482A, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2019, is amended to read as follows:
   Notwithstanding section 321.482, a person who is convicted of operating a motor vehicle in violation of section 321.178, subsection 2, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (2), section 321.180B, subsection 6, section 321.194, subsection 2, paragraph “b”, subparagraph (2), section 321.256, 321.257, section 321.275, subsection 4, section 321.276, 321.297, 321.298, 321.299, 321.302, 321.303, 321.304, 321.305, 321.306, 321.307, 321.308, section 321.309, subsection 2, section 321.311, 321.319, 321.320, 321.321, 321.322, 321.323, 321.324, 321.324A, 321.327, 321.329, 321.333,  section 321.372, subsection 3, or section 321.449B, causing serious injury to or the death of another person may be subject to the following penalties in addition to the penalty provided for a scheduled violation in section 805.8A or any other penalty provided by law:
    Sec. 3.  Section 805.8A, subsection 7, paragraph d, Code 2019, is amended by striking the paragraph.
    Sec. 4.  REPEAL.  Section 321.308, Code 2019, is repealed.
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, Code section 321.307 prohibits the driver of a motor vehicle from following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway. However, certain vehicles are subject to more specific limitations. Code section 321.308 prohibits the driver of a motor truck or a motor vehicle drawing another vehicle, when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district, from following within 300 feet of another motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle. Code section 321.309(2) requires a person pulling or towing by motor vehicle another vehicle in a convoy or caravan to maintain a distance of at least 500 feet between the units of the convoy or caravan. 
   This bill repeals Code section 321.308, strikes Code section 321.309(2), and strikes the associated penalty provisions.