It’s Annoying, But Is It Illegal to Camp Out in the Left Lane in Indiana or Kentucky?

Slow Left Lane Drivers are the Worst on Vacation

This past March, we took a spring break trip to Panama City Beach, FL, for a few days. It was a great little getaway, and since it was about an eight-hour drive, we got there with plenty of time to eat dinner and cruise around on the beach. Everything went so well on the way down that when we went to leave, we decided to take our time. We ate a leisurely breakfast, spent a little time at the beach, and even dropped a friend at the airport. Yeah, it took us almost 12 hours to get home.

Through the states of Florida and Alabama, we sat for hours in traffic jams. The worst part? There wasn't anything causing them. It was just that stop-and-go pattern that slows traffic into what’s called a phantom traffic jam. When we finally got to northern Alabama and Tennessee, we thought we were in the clear.

My husband decided he'd drive home. He always says he wants me to drive on road trips, but then he spends the entire time in the passenger seat backseat driving. He gets annoyed that I'm a much slower and less aggressive driver than he is, until he finally says, “Pull over. I’ll take it from here.” Anyone who knows my husband knows there’s one thing that drives him more batty than anything else... You know that moment when you’re cruising along in the left lane, passing everyone at a nice, steady pace, and then, out of nowhere, someone swerves over in front of you going way slower? Not only do they cut you off, but then they just sit there, refusing to move back over, even though the right lane is wide open.

Well, on this particular trip, there were a lot of them. And they all seemed to have Wisconsin plates. Since many of the roads were four-lane highways, we had no choice but to wait until they decided to move over. Let's just say his blood pressure was not at a healthy level that day.

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Is Camping Out in the Left Lane Illegal?

As I mentioned earlier, I'm not the fastest driver. I stay around the speed limit and use cruise control a lot. But I'm also very mindful of those who want to use the left lane to pass. I didn’t realize until yesterday that it’s actually illegal to go slow in the left lane in Indiana. I found out when I saw a post on a Women’s Humor Facebook page. They shared a screenshot of an Indiana State Trooper's Facebook post, showing him pulling over a driver who had backed up traffic 20 cars deep by going too slow in the left lane. The caption read, “Louder for people in the back.”

Though I absolutely hate when law enforcement hands out tickets for minor infractions, I have to admit that this trooper was doing God’s work.

Indiana's Left Lane Law: What You Should Know

Under Indiana law (Sec. 9), drivers are required to stay in the right lane when driving slower than the posted speed limit on interstate highways. This helps keep traffic flowing smoothly.

If you're on a road with two or more lanes in each direction, you should avoid staying in the far left lane (unless it's an HOV lane) if another vehicle is trying to pass you.

Read More: Is It Legal to Haul Multiple Items at Once in Indiana?

Kentucky's Left Lane Law: What You Should Know

According to an article on wbkr.com, "In Kentucky, it's also illegal to drive in the left lane on a limited-access four-lane highway with a speed limit of 65 MPH or greater unless you are passing, moving over to stay away from a police or state police vehicle, or in the interest of safety."

When Can You Stay in the Left Lane?

There are a few exceptions. You’re allowed to stay in the left lane when:

• Traffic is heavy or congested
• Bad weather or road hazards require it
• Road signs or traffic signals require it
• You’re preparing to turn left or exit
• You’re paying a toll
• You’re in an emergency vehicle
• You’re driving a maintenance or construction vehicle

Read More: Which McDonald’s Ice Cream Machines are Working Today?

Don't Be The Slow Guy in the Fast Lane

Even if you're following the speed limit, it's important to move over if faster traffic is behind you. It’s not just a courtesy, it’s the law.