Not just a courtesy, it’s the law ---

Move over or slow down to keep everyone safe!

Rules of the Road

By following these two simple “Rules of the Road” you can help save lives and avoid receiving a traffic ticket.  Iowa law requires motorists to:

1. change lanes or slow down when approaching stationary emergency, towing or maintenance vehicles with their flashing lights activated (Iowa Code section 321.323); and

2. yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights or giving an audible signal by moving over to the right, stopping and waiting until the vehicle has passed before proceeding (Iowa Code section 321.324).

These laws are designed to protect motorists, persons being transported in emergency vehicles, and personnel at high risk while performing their duties on Iowa’s roadways.  

Penalties for Violating the Law

Motorists are warned to move over or slow down or pay the price. 

The total fine and court costs for violating Iowa Code section 321.323A or 321.324  is $80. 

Road Signs

Signs that describe the state law are posted statewide on all the major interstate routes and state entries.

Iowa’s highway safety, emergency, maintenance, and utility personnel appreciate your cooperation and compliance with Iowa law to ensure the safety of the public and those whose job it is to maintain the roadways and provide assistance to you.

Iowa Law

Here’s a look at the law:

Iowa Code 321.323A-Approaching certain stationary vehicles.

1.  The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, white, red, or red and blue lights shall approach the authorized emergency vehicle with due caution and shall proceed in one of the following manners, absent any other direction by a peace officer:

a. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the authorized emergency vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions.

b.  If a lane change under paragraph "a" would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.

 2.  The operator of a motor vehicle approaching a stationary towing or recovery vehicle, a stationary utility maintenance vehicle, a stationary municipal maintenance vehicle, or a stationary highway maintenance vehicle, that is displaying flashing yellow, amber, or red lights, shall approach the vehicle with due caution and shall proceed in one of the following manners, absent any other direction by a peace officer:

a. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the towing, recovery, utility maintenance, municipal maintenance, or highway maintenance vehicle if possible in the existing safety and traffic conditions.

b.  If a lane change under paragraph "a" would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper speed for the existing road and traffic conditions, which speed shall be less than the posted speed limit, and be prepared to stop.

Iowa Code 321.324-Operation on approach of emergency vehicles.

Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle with any lamp or device displaying a red light or red and blue lights, or an authorized emergency vehicle of a fire department displaying a blue light, or when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.  For the purposes of this section, "red light" or "blue light" means a light or lighting device that, when illuminated, will exhibit a solid flashing or strobing red or blue light.

Upon the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, as above stated, the driver of every streetcar shall immediately stop such car clear of any intersection and keep it in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.

Move Over, Slow Down - It’s About Safety!