Bill Text: IA SF306 | 2017-2018 | 87th General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: A bill for an act increasing the penalty for motor vehicles that traverse certain railroad grade crossings against a gate or signal.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-01-16 - Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage. [SF306 Detail]
Download: Iowa-2017-SF306-Introduced.html
Senate File 306 - Introduced SENATE FILE BY BEHN A BILL FOR 1 An Act increasing the penalty for motor vehicles that traverse 2 certain railroad grade crossings against a gate or signal. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: TLSB 2555XS (2) 87 ns/nh PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 805.8A, subsection 14, paragraph h, Code 1 2 2017, is amended to read as follows: 1 3 h. Railroad crossing violations. For violations under 1 4 sections 321.341, 321.342, 321.343, and 321.344, and 321.344B, 1 5 the scheduled fine is two hundred dollars. However, for 1 6 violations of section 321.341 that occur at a grade crossing 1 7 that has a median barrier and that is established as a quiet 1 8 zone in accordance with 49 C.F.R. pt. 222, subpt. C, the 1 9 scheduled fine is four hundred dollars. 1 10 EXPLANATION 1 11 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with 1 12 the explanation's substance by the members of the general assembly. 1 13 Currently, Code section 321.341 provides that when a person 1 14 driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing and 1 15 a warning is given by automatic signal, crossing gate, or 1 16 flag person of the immediate approach of a railroad train 1 17 or railroad track equipment, the driver of the vehicle is 1 18 required to stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 1 19 15 feet from the nearest rail and is prohibited from proceeding 1 20 until the driver can do so safely. In addition, the driver 1 21 of a vehicle is required to stop the vehicle and not traverse 1 22 the grade crossing when the crossing gate is lowered or when 1 23 a human flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the 1 24 approach or passage of a railroad train or railroad track 1 25 equipment. A violation of this provision is punishable by a 1 26 scheduled fine of $200. 1 27 This bill provides that when a violation of Code section 1 28 321.341 occurs at a grade crossing that has a median barrier 1 29 and that is established as a quiet zone in accord with federal 1 30 law, the violation is punishable by a scheduled fine of $400. LSB 2555XS (2) 87 ns/nh
