HF 233 (LSB 2374YH (2) 91)

HOUSE FILE 233

BY  GJERDE

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the manner in which motor vehicles turn at intersections, and making penalties applicable.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.311, subsection 1, Code 2025, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows all of the following, as applicable:
   a.  Both the approach for a right turn and right turn shall be made as close as practical practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
   b.  Approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and, after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to depart from the intersection to the right of the center line and as close as practicable to the center line of the roadway being entered.
   c.  Approach for a left turn from a two-way street into a one-way street shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection and, after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to depart from the intersection as close as practicable to the left-hand curb or edge of the street being entered. A 
   d.  Approach for a left turn from a one-way street into a two-way street shall be made by passing as close as practicable to the left-hand curb or edge of the street and, after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to depart from the intersection to the right of the center line and as close as practicable to the center line of the street being entered upon leaving the intersection.
    Sec. 2.  Section 321.311, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  1A.  The driver of a vehicle making a turn at an intersection from a laned highway into another laned highway shall maintain and complete the turn by approaching, entering, and departing the intersection in the same corresponding lane, as determined from the right-hand edge of the roadway for a vehicle turning right, and from the left-hand edge of the roadway for a vehicle turning left.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to the manner in which motor vehicles turn at intersections. Under current law, a driver making a left turn must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard, before making the left turn (Code section 321.320). In addition, the driver of a vehicle making a left turn is required to depart from the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered (Code section 321.311). The bill requires the driver to also keep the vehicle as close as practicable to the center line.
   If the left turn is from a two-way street into a one-way street, the bill requires the driver, after entering the intersection, to depart from the intersection as close as practicable to the left-hand curb or edge of the street being entered. If the left turn is from a one-way street into a two-way street, the bill requires the driver to make the turn as close as practicable to the left-hand curb or edge of the street and, after entering the intersection, to depart from the intersection as close as practicable to the center line of the street being entered.
   The bill requires a driver making a turn at an intersection from a laned highway into another laned highway to maintain and complete the turn by approaching, entering, and departing the intersection in the same corresponding lane. A “laned highway” is a highway the roadway of which is divided into three or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic.
   A violation of Code section 321.311 is punishable by a scheduled fine of $135.