Iowa Code 321.343 – Certain vehicles must stop
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1. The driver of a motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire, a school bus, or a vehicle carrying hazardous material and required to stop before driving across a railroad track by motor carrier safety rules adopted under section 321.449, before driving across at grade any track of a railroad, shall stop the vehicle within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail. While stopped, the driver shall listen and look in both directions for an approaching railroad train or railroad track equipment, and for signals indicating the approach of a railroad train or railroad track equipment, and shall not proceed until the driver can do so safely.
Terms Used In Iowa Code 321.343
- 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
- Motor vehicle: means a self-propelled vehicle purchased or leased in this state, except as provided in section 322G. See Iowa Code 322G.2
- Roadway: means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel. See Iowa Code 321I.1
- Vehicle: means any vehicle as defined in chapter 321. See Iowa Code 321H.2
2. The driver of a commercial motor vehicle shall comply with all of the following provisions that apply to the driver:
a. If the driver is not always required to stop at a railroad crossing, slow down when approaching the crossing and check that the railroad tracks are clear of an approaching railroad train or railroad track equipment before proceeding.
b. If the driver is not always required to stop at a railroad crossing, stop before reaching the crossing if the railroad tracks are not clear.
c. Refrain from proceeding through a railroad crossing if sufficient space is not available to drive completely through the crossing without stopping.
d. Obey a traffic-control device or the directions of an enforcement official at a railroad crossing.
e. Have sufficient undercarriage clearance before negotiating a railroad crossing.
3. No stop need be made at a crossing where a peace officer or a traffic-control device directs traffic to proceed. No stop need be made at a crossing designated by an “exempt” sign. An “exempt” sign shall be posted only where the tracks have been partially removed on either side of the roadway.