The Iowa Senate has approved a measure increasing the penalties for motorists who run a red light and injure others in a crash.
The measure passed Monday by a 46-3 vote and goes to the House.
It was spurred by a 2007 case in which a pickup truck driver ran a red light, then hit and killed a motorcyclist. Under current Iowa law, the pickup driver could only be charged with a traffic citation and fined $35.
The proposal approved by the Senate would increase the fine to
$500 and a possible suspension of driving privileges for up to 90
days for drivers who run a red light and cause a crash with serious
injuries. The penalty is higher if someone dies, with a fine of up
to $1,000 and a 180-day driving suspension.
