Iowa Code 321.231C – Fire fighters and emergency medical services members responding to emergency situations
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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1. Notwithstanding section 321.231, the driver of a vehicle making use of a blue light pursuant to section 321.423, subsection 3, or displaying fire fighter or emergency medical services registration plates issued pursuant to section 321.34, subsection 10 or 10A, may reasonably exceed the maximum speed limits based on the facts and circumstances at the time, only if all of the following apply:
a. The driver is a current member of a paid or volunteer fire department or emergency medical services agency.
b. The driver is responding to, but not returning from, an emergency call or fire alarm.
c. The driver has received emergency vehicle operations training.
Terms Used In Iowa Code 321.231C
- Department: means the state department of transportation. See Iowa Code 321H.2
- Driver: means a person who operates a motor vehicle for the transportation of railroad workers in the motor vehicle on behalf of a railroad worker transportation company, whether the person is employed by the company for wages or drives for the company as an independent contractor. See Iowa Code 327F.39
- following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Member: means a person who is a member in good standing of a fire department or a person who is an emergency medical care provider employed by an ambulance, rescue, or first response service. See Iowa Code 321.423
- Vehicle: means any vehicle as defined in chapter 321. See Iowa Code 321H.2
2. The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all other persons, nor shall such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of the driver’s reckless disregard for the safety of others.
3. A court shall dismiss and expunge from a driver’s record any excessive speed violation citations issued to a driver under circumstances in which the driver complied with subsection 1, if the driver presents to the court a signed statement from the applicable fire chief or chief officer of an emergency medical services agency providing details about the driver’s operation of the vehicle while responding to an emergency call or fire alarm, which operation resulted in the citation. This subsection does not apply to a driver who holds a commercial driver’s license or commercial learner’s permit.