Senate File 2051 - Introduced
SENATE FILE 2051
BY SWEENEY
A BILL FOR
1 An Act relating to drivers who fail to stop at stop signs in
2 school zones, and providing penalties.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:
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 S.F. 2051
1 Section 1. Section 805.8A, subsection 14, Code 2024, is
2 amended by adding the following new paragraph:
3 NEW PARAGRAPH. q. Failure to stop in school zone. The
4 scheduled fine for a violation of section 321.256 or 321.322,
5 as set forth in subsection 8, paragraphs “b” and “f”, shall
6 be doubled if the violation occurs within any school zone
7 established pursuant to section 321.249.
8 EXPLANATION
9 The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
10 the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
11 Current law prohibits the driver of a vehicle from
12 disobeying the instructions of any official traffic-control
13 device placed in accordance with the provisions of Code
14 chapter 321, unless the driver is otherwise directed by a
15 peace officer, with limited exceptions granted to the driver
16 of an authorized emergency vehicle. Official traffic-control
17 devices include all signs, signals, markings, and devices
18 not inconsistent with Code chapter 321 placed or erected by
19 authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for
20 the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
21 Additionally, the driver of a vehicle approaching a stop
22 intersection indicated by a stop sign is required to stop
23 at the first opportunity at either the clearly marked stop
24 line or before entering the crosswalk or before entering the
25 intersection, or at the point nearest the intersecting roadway
26 where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the
27 intersecting roadway before entering the intersection.
28 A person who violates either of these provisions is guilty of
29 a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $135 scheduled fine.
30 This bill doubles the penalty for a driver who disobeys a
31 stop sign while driving in a school zone. A violation of the
32 bill is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a $270 scheduled
33 fine. A similar provision exists under current law doubling
34 the scheduled fine for any moving violation that occurs in a
35 road work zone.
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 S.F. 2051
1 Under current law, cities and counties are authorized
2 to establish school zones and provide for the stopping of
3 all motor vehicles approaching the school zones and may use
4 movable stop signs. All traffic-control devices provided for
5 school zones must conform to specifications included in the
6 manual of traffic-control devices adopted by the department of
7 transportation, except the provision prohibiting the use of
8 portable or part-time stop signs.
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