Hey Iowa; These Are Traffic Control Devices, Learn to Use Them Correctly

If you are unaware, the Wild West is alive and well on Iowa roadways every weekday morning, afternoon, most evenings, and weekends.  Saddle up, friend, if you'd like a wild ride in America's heartland, because you'll find it in Iowa.

I get it—a need for speed. The trouble is that many who need speed really need some lug nuts, a proper muffler, working lights, at least one hand on the wheel. You know, things that make cars and trucks... hmm, what are the words? Safe to operate!

What's the Traffic Rub?

Also, helping us on the road are road markings.  I see a lot of barking about what's legal and what's not online.  I know it's a while back, but all this was on the driver test. At least, it was on mine.  You had to identify blank road signs and identify road markings.

If you did or did not have to identify road markings on the test, they were in the booklet.  The Iowa driver handbook shows lane markings and what they mean, but if you're not a reader, it may have slipped by you.  Let me tell you this now, I am not a reader.  Thankfully, there are pictures.

Once in a while, technical jargon can be a bit confusing.  Split lane watusi, quadruple chartreuse lane markings... who knows what's going on? So a little picture refresher is maybe what is called for.

The Confusion Sets In

It's not all that hard, most slotted lines can be crossed, and when it comes to solid lines well, they're a mixed bag.  The solid double yellow, that's do not cross under any circumstances.  Depending on which way you're traveling, you may see a single solid yellow and a slotted yellow next to it.

Here is where many people get confused. The solid white line is a traffic control device, and though it would seem it should not be crossed because it's solid, it is LEGAL. But, it is quoted in the state literature as being "discouraged."  So, you can cross a solid white line legally, but it's supposed to be in cases of emergency only.

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Why Are You Mentioning This Now?

The reason I'm mentioning it is because speedsters are using it as an area to change lanes at high speeds, and that's not safe.  It's a daily occurrence on my way to work.  I pass a couple of construction areas that have a white line installed.  They are in areas that are curved and not the best area for a lane change, especially with workers around and at the speeds most of the vehicles are going.

It really sucks when they cut you off and you have to make evasive maneuvers because speed racer's emergency is they have it on cruise control (they drop a brick on the peddle and steer.).

Now, we know you are allowed to cross the solid white lines, but is it an emergency?  If not, it's discouraged, which probably means mostly disregarded, but at least we've been informed if we didn't know already.  Be safe out there!