Governor Kim Reynolds has signed a proclamation urging Iowans to abide by a new state law that penalizes motorists who fail to slow down or pull into another lane when passing  utility maintenance vehicles.

 

While there have been no fatal accidents involving motorists and utility crews, more than 500 MidAmerican utility vehicles have been struck by a passing motorist so far this year. Jim Dougherty is MidAmerican’s vice president for electric delivery.

 

Motorists who fail to slow down or move over when passing a utility vehicle now — because of the new law — can be fined or, in extreme cases, can lose their driver’s license. Since 2002, Iowa law has required motorists to keep a reasonable distance when passing emergency vehicles like police squad cars, fire trucks and ambulances.