Iowa statute
Iowa Code § 321.279 — Eluding or attempting to elude pursuing law enforcement vehicle
Current through 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.)
Part of Chapter 321: Motor Vehicles and Law of the Road, Iowa Code.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of Iowa Code § 321.279
Statutory text current through the 2026 Iowa Code (enactments effective on or before 2026-01-01, through the 2025 Regular Session, 91st G.A.). This publication reproduces the statutory text of the official 2026 Iowa Code (Legislative Services Agency); it is not the official publication of the State of Iowa.
1. a. The driver of a motor vehicle commits a serious misdemeanor if the driver willfully fails to bring the motor vehicle to a stop or otherwise eludes or attempts to elude a marked or unmarked official law enforcement vehicle driven by a peace officer after being given a visual and audible signal to stop. The signal given by the peace officer shall be by flashing red light, or by flashing red and blue lights, and siren. For purposes of this section, “peace officer” means those officers designated under section 801.4, subsection 11, paragraphs “a”, “b”, “c”, “f”, “g”, and “h”.
b. The driver of a motor vehicle who commits a violation under this subsection and who has previously committed any violation under this section is, upon conviction, guilty of an aggravated misdemeanor.
2. a. The driver of a motor vehicle commits a class “D” felony if the driver willfully fails to bring the motor vehicle to a stop or otherwise eludes or attempts to elude a marked or unmarked official law enforcement vehicle that is driven by a peace officer after being given a visual and audible signal as provided in this section and in doing so exceeds the speed limit by twenty-five miles per hour or more.
b. The driver of a motor vehicle who commits a violation under this subsection and who has previously committed any violation under this section is, upon conviction, guilty of a class “C” felony.
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