Transportation (Traffic Safety)

HF 569 requires immediate revocation of Iowa driver's licenses for drivers caught speeding at 100 miles per hour or more. Peace officers can take the license on the spot, issue a 10-day temporary license, and send it to the Department of Transportation. The license is revoked for 30 days with no option for a temporary restricted license during that period. This applies specifically to drivers exceeding 100 mph, not other speeding violations.

HF 528 reclassifies speeding 25 miles per hour or more over the limit as reckless driving under Iowa law. This change means drivers who exceed speed limits by 25+ mph will now face reckless driving charges instead of standard speeding penalties. If such speeding unintentionally causes death, it becomes a class C felony (up to 10 years in prison); if it causes serious injury, it becomes a class D felony (up to 5 years). The bill directly affects drivers who speed significantly, with penalties escalating based on the outcome of the violation.

HF 542 requires drivers to approach slow-moving authorized emergency vehicles (operating at 15 mph or less) with caution, mirroring existing rules for stationary emergency vehicles. Drivers must change lanes if safe, or reduce speed below the limit and be prepared to stop if lane changes aren't possible. The bill defines "slow-moving" as 15 mph or less for emergency vehicles performing official duties. Violations remain a simple misdemeanor with a $135 fine, plus potential higher fines and license suspensions if accidents cause injury or death. This applies only to emergency vehicles, not other slow-moving vehicles like construction or utility vehicles.

This bill reduces the maximum speed limit on unpaved secondary roads under county jurisdiction to 45 miles per hour at all times, replacing the current rule of 55 mph during daylight and 50 mph at night. It directly affects drivers on county-maintained unpaved roads and requires counties to update speed limit signs. Counties may temporarily use approved stickers on existing signs instead of replacing all signs immediately, until regular replacement schedules apply. Existing speeding penalties (ranging from $30 to $135+) remain unchanged for violations under this new limit.

HF 173 adds enhanced penalties for drivers convicted of specific traffic violations that cause serious injury or death. It directly affects drivers who violate Iowa's speed control laws (like failing to slow for pedestrians, work zones, or emergency vehicles) and cause harm. If a violation causes serious injury, offenders face an additional $500 fine or up to 90 days license suspension; for death, the penalty is $1,000 or up to 180 days suspension. The bill expands existing penalties under Code section 321.482A to include violations of section 321.288, which governs speed control in critical situations.