Which Lane Should You Be In If You’re Driving The Speed Limit in Iowa?

I want you to think back to the hours you spent in driver's education. For me, that was 16 years ago. One of the most important lessons I remember being taught was how to use the left lane. I know you know what the left lane is supposed to be used for but for some reason... there seem to be some Iowa drivers who maybe skipped driver's ed class that day.

To be fair, this isn't something unique to drivers in Iowa. Improper left-lane use can be found throughout the entire country. Did you know there's been a written code/law about left lane use in the state of Iowa?

It's The Law!

I was always taught that the left lane is the "passing lane" and the right lane is the "cruising lane." If you're on the highway and driving the speed limit or fairly close to it, stay in the right lane until you need to pass a car. When you pass them in the left lane, move back over to the right lane.

Iowa Code 321.297, section 2, says

Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic upon all roadways, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection, an alley, private road or driveway.

According to the law, if you're going to be traveling slower than the speed limit or close to the speed limit, you need to be in the right lane. The only reason to use the left lane is to pass a slower vehicle or if you're making a left-hand turn. This video shows a perfect example of why slower drivers should stay in the right lane and how passing cars on the highway should be done.

According to the Iowa DOT Facebook "So far this year in Iowa, 298 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of six since last Friday. In Iowa in 2022, there were 338 traffic-related deaths." Hopefully, this number will completely stop for the remainder of the year, and knowing how to properly use the left lane can only help. Like I said, I know you know how to use the left lane, this is for those other drivers who don't.

Move over to the right lane if you know you're traveling slower than the speed limit or close to it. If you're caught driving in the left lane and blocking cars from passing, you could get a ticket/fine.