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Senate File 306 - IntroducedA Bill ForAn Act 1increasing the penalty for motor vehicles that traverse
2certain railroad grade crossings against a gate or signal.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph h, Code
22017, is amended to read as follows:
3h. Railroad crossing violations. For violations under
4sections 321.341, 321.342, 321.343, and 321.344, and 321.344B,
5the scheduled fine is two hundred dollars. However, for
6violations of section 321.341 that occur at a grade crossing
7that has a median barrier and that is established as a quiet
8zone in accordance with 49 C.F.R.pt.222, subpt.C, the
9scheduled fine is four hundred dollars.
10EXPLANATION
11The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
12the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
13Currently, Code section 321.341 provides that when a person
14driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing and
15a warning is given by automatic signal, crossing gate, or
16flag person of the immediate approach of a railroad train
17or railroad track equipment, the driver of the vehicle is
18required to stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than
1915 feet from the nearest rail and is prohibited from proceeding
20until the driver can do so safely. In addition, the driver
21of a vehicle is required to stop the vehicle and not traverse
22the grade crossing when the crossing gate is lowered or when
23a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the
24approach or passage of a railroad train or railroad track
25equipment. A violation of this provision is punishable by a
26scheduled fine of $200.
27This bill provides that when a violation of Code section
28321.341 occurs at a grade crossing that has a median barrier
29and that is established as a quiet zone in accord with federal
30law, the violation is punishable by a scheduled fine of $400.
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2certain railroad grade crossings against a gate or signal.
3BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
1 Section 1. Section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph h, Code
22017, is amended to read as follows:
3h. Railroad crossing violations. For violations under
4sections 321.341, 321.342, 321.343, and 321.344, and 321.344B,
5the scheduled fine is two hundred dollars. However, for
6violations of section 321.341 that occur at a grade crossing
7that has a median barrier and that is established as a quiet
8zone in accordance with 49 C.F.R.pt.222, subpt.C, the
9scheduled fine is four hundred dollars.
10EXPLANATION
11The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
12the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
13Currently, Code section 321.341 provides that when a person
14driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing and
15a warning is given by automatic signal, crossing gate, or
16flag person of the immediate approach of a railroad train
17or railroad track equipment, the driver of the vehicle is
18required to stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than
1915 feet from the nearest rail and is prohibited from proceeding
20until the driver can do so safely. In addition, the driver
21of a vehicle is required to stop the vehicle and not traverse
22the grade crossing when the crossing gate is lowered or when
23a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the
24approach or passage of a railroad train or railroad track
25equipment. A violation of this provision is punishable by a
26scheduled fine of $200.
27This bill provides that when a violation of Code section
28321.341 occurs at a grade crossing that has a median barrier
29and that is established as a quiet zone in accord with federal
30law, the violation is punishable by a scheduled fine of $400.
-1-ns/nh