Frustrating (and Illegal) Indiana Driving Habits You Should Stop

There's nothing more annoying than following a vehicle going 5 mph under the speed limit in the left lane. Here are some friendly reminders about Hoosier highway law and etiquette.

I don't consider myself to be a petty person by any means. That said, I'm about to hop on my soapbox for a moment. I drive U.S. Route 41 every day on my way to and from work. It can become highly congested fairly quickly in the evenings, especially given all the construction that's been underway over the last several months. However, that congestion is only worsened when a car, semi-truck, or other vehicle is hogging the left lane. Let's take a look at the do's and don'ts for Indiana highways.

How to Use the Left Lane on Indiana Highways

Slower vehicles should stick to the right lane, leaving the left-hand lane for faster-moving or passing vehicles. Additionally, no vehicle should be weaving between the two. According to the 2024 Indiana Driver's Manual, moving in and out of lanes is dangerous and can hurt you or someone else. While I understand that you might be in a hurry, this behavior increases the risk of causing a serious accident, potentially costing someone their life. I see a lot of this on U.S. Route 41, and it's a dangerous habit to adopt.

Indiana Semi-Truck Laws

Another sight I often see while traveling in the tri-state is semis staying in the left lane for far too long. This is not only unsafe, but also illegal. Indiana Code (IC) 9-21-8-12 restricts where semi-trucks can drive on interstate highways. Violating that code is a Class C infraction punishable by a fine of up to $500. If the violation results in bodily injury, such as from a wreck, it is bumped up to a Class A infraction, punishable by up to $10,000. Semi-trucks may only drive in the far left lane when:

• Passing a slower vehicle
• Entering or leaving a highway
• There is a special hazard that requires using an alternate lane for safety reasons

NOTE: On highways with three or more lanes in each direction, trucks may drive in the two rightmost lanes. See more HERE.

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Indiana’s Move Over Law

Another law Indiana drivers should be aware of is the Move Over law (IC 9-21-8-35). This law requires motorists to yield the right of way, move over to the right and come to a complete stop, or change lanes when approaching an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing. Authorized emergency vehicles identified under this code include fire department vehicles, police department vehicles, ambulances, etc. Failure to comply could result in hefty fines. All in all, just remember to be safe, respect your fellow motorists, and stay out of the left lane when Jake is trying to get to work.