Cruising down the highway, you notice a driver camped out in the left lane, refusing to move over. It’s infuriating, especially when you’re stuck behind them. But is this frustrating behavior actually a crime? In Indiana and Kentucky, the laws regarding left-lane camping are a bit murky. Let’s delve into the details and see if there’s a right side to this road rage-inducing situation.
While it’s understandable to get angry when someone’s hogging the left lane, it’s essential to separate fact from fiction and understand the laws that govern our roads. So, what can and can’t be done in Indiana and Kentucky regarding left-lane camping? We’ll break it down for you in this article, and by the time you’re done reading, you’ll be an expert on the matter.
What’s Considered Left-Lane Camping in Indiana?
In Indiana, left-lane camping is essentially when a driver remains in the left lane for an extended period, typically more than two miles, without passing another vehicle. However, it’s not just about staying in the left lane; it’s about the intentions of the driver. According to [Indiana Code 9-21-5-3](https://code.iga.in.gov/enacted/2013/legislativetext/hc0060.23.html), a driver is only guilty of cruising if they fail to yield to overtaking traffic or do not make a valid reason for being in the left lane. Essentially, you’re not so much guilty of cruising if you’re going with traffic and not blocking others.
So, if you’re driving in the left lane in Indiana and all other drivers are cruising at a similar speed, you’re probably not breaking the law. But be careful, as Indiana code does criminalize acts of reckless driving—if you’re spotted leaving the scene without a valid reason, you might be considered doing this, but as long as you’re not blocking traffic, you should be okay.
What’s Considered Left-Lane Camping in Kentucky?
Now, let’s head to Kentucky to see how they handle left-lane camping. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes 189A.040, a driver in the left lane who fails to give reasonable right-of-way to a faster moving vehicle is guilty of careless driving. To clarify this law, a few more words are in order: using the left lane for more than 200 yards to pass a slower-moving vehicle would indeed be considered careless driving and illegal.
It’s worth mentioning that Kentucky’s law places a heavier emphasis on driver intent, stating that if the driver in the left lane means to obstruct traffic flow or cause inconvenience, they have violated the law.
Consequences of Left-Lane Camping
Now that we understand the rules, let’s talk about the consequences. If caught and convicted for left-lane camping in Indiana, you might face fines ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. If you’re caught speeding while doing this, it gets more serious as the fines can exceed $10,000 [BCI](https://thelibraries.org/indiana-statutes/09-21-0101-9-21-0118//). Similarly, in Kentucky, a careless driving conviction can result in a $250 fine and possible points on your license. Kentucky State Police take a zero-tolerance stance when it comes to reckless or careless driving.
Conclusion
Left-lane camping, despite being frustrating and infuriating, remains more so a highly disputed and grey area in the states of Indiana and Kentucky. What constitutes an “extension” or “obstruction” is completely subjective and open to interpretation by law enforcement. Even though it is hard not to lose your temper, drive responsibly, no speeding. However, one can agree there are plenty of valid reasons one should rethink a ticket from law enforcement.
