NEIA Senators Back, Oppose Bill Setting $135 Fine for Left-Lane Loitering

Northeast Iowa state senators have differing views on an Iowa Senate bill passed that would establish a 135-dollar fine for motorists caught lingering too long in the left hand lane. 

Senator Mike Klemish of Spillville says under current Iowa law, drivers are to mostly stay in the right hand lane unless they’re passing another vehicle. 

That means using the left lane only for passing, to avoid some obstruction in the right hand lane or to take an exit that requires driving in the left lane. 

The bill passed on a 38 to eight vote, with Senator William Dotzler of Waterloo casting one of the “no” votes. While acknowledges that it’s aggravating to have a slow moving vehicle in the left lane, Dotzler says he’s concerned about the safety of bicyclists riding along the side of city streets that have two lanes of traffic in both directions.

If the bill becomes law, police and state troopers could issue warnings for left lane loitering during the first 12 months, then the fine would take effect on July 1st of 2025.