Shouldn’t This Be Illegal on Iowa Roads? I Think it Really Needs to Be
I love highway and freeway driving. It's relaxing (usually). However, there's one aspect that really gets my goat. Now, I want to preface: I respect our semi drivers. Yep, this piece is about trucks. I really do respect what they, or perhaps you do. There's just one thing that semis, some not all, do that ticks me, and other motorists off. Big time.
No one likes to slow down
Here's the issue I have: semis moving from the right lane to the left, to pass a slower motorist or fellow truck. I get it, if someone is doodling, you want to pass 'em. And a semi should be allowed to pass. However, they should also wait until there's no other standard traffic looking to pass. I've been stuck on I-380 going 60-65 for a good clip of time as a semi passes a supposedly slower motorist.
All this does is slow all traffic which is both dangerous and quite frustrating. Don't get me wrong, if there's a trooper, accident, or even stalled vehicle on the shoulder, come on over (then go right back, please). But otherwise, wait. Wait until there's a clear left lane to pass.
What Iowa law says about this
The website Find Law has a list of truck travel laws in all U.S. states on its website. With regards to Iowa, the law for all vehicles states:
Must drive in right lane when driving slower than normal speed of traffic, except to pass or turn left.
Again, this is not exclusively for semis, it's for all vehicles. It's also too vague to try and interpret as, no semis in the left lane until there's space. What do you think? It's a very first-world issue, to say the least. Still, it's annoying.
Drive safe, no matter what you drive, or what lane you're in. See ya on the roads!