A bill for an act relating to reasonable and prudent following distances while a person is operating a motor vehicle, and making penalties applicable.
This bill sets specific minimum following distances for drivers based on highway speed limits: 50 feet for speeds of 35 mph or less, 100 feet for 35-55 mph, 150 feet for 55-65 mph, and 200 feet for speeds over 65 mph. It directly affects all drivers operating vehicles on Iowa highways under clear conditions, replacing the general "reasonable and prudent" standard with defined distances. Violating these rules is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $135 fine, with additional penalties of up to $1,000 or license suspension if injury or death occurs. The bill updates existing traffic law to clarify safe following distances through clear, speed-based thresholds.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 17, 2025
Last action Mar 5, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
7
Key actions
6
Committee
6
Mar 5, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Committee report approving bill, renumbered as HF 770.
legislature
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee vote: Yeas, 21. Nays, 2.
lower
Feb 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report, recommending passage.
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee recommends passage.
legislature
Jan 27, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Subcommittee Meeting: 01/28/2025 8:00AM RM 304.1.
legislature
Jan 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee: Dieken, Meyer, B. and Wengryn.
lower
Jan 17, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, referred to Public Safety.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Zach Dieken
RRepublican
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