Sharing the road in Iowa

By the end of this topic you can

• You can yield to pedestrians and people using wheelchairs, strollers or scooters.
• You can pass a bicyclist or motorcyclist with a full lane of space.
• You can stay out of a truck's no-zones and give it room to turn.
• You can approach snowplows and farm equipment safely.
• You can cross railroad tracks safely and know what to do if you stall.

What you need to know and understand

• You must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks, including people using pedestrian conveyances.
• A white cane, a white cane with a red tip or a guide dog usually means the person is visually impaired; take extra care.
• When passing a bicyclist, change lanes completely, just as you would to pass a car.
• Drive in a bicycle lane only to make a turn, after checking carefully for riders.
• Leave at least a 3 to 4 second gap behind a motorcycle, and never share its lane.
• Snowplows usually travel 25 to 35 mph; never pass on the shoulder side.
• October, November and May are the peak months for deer crashes in Iowa.

People on foot and on bikes

Scan for people walking, biking, skating or using wheelchairs and low-speed scooters before every turn and driveway. Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian, because the person may be hidden in front of it.

Bicyclists have the right to use the road. To pass, move fully into the next lane and do not return until you can see the rider in your rearview mirror. Check for riders coming up on your right before a right turn, and look for reflectors and lights at night.

Big, slow and seasonal vehicles

• Trucks and buses: if you cannot see the driver in their mirror, they cannot see you. Pass quickly, do not cut in until you see the whole cab in your mirror, and never squeeze between a truck and the curb when it swings left to turn right.
• Farm equipment and horse-drawn vehicles: slow down early, expect wide turns into unmarked field entrances, and pass only where it is legal and you can see well ahead.
• Snowplows: stay well back, never pass on the shoulder side, and leave extra room because the blade may stick out beyond the truck.
• Emergency vehicles: pull right and stop when one approaches with siren or lights, and stay at least 500 feet behind one that is responding.

Trains and wildlife

Deer are one of the leading causes of crashes in Iowa, especially at dawn and dusk. If a deer appears and you cannot stop, brake firmly and do not swerve, because swerving often leads to a worse crash. Deer travel in groups, so expect more than one.

1. As you near tracks, cut distractions, lower your window and turn the music off.
2. Never cross when lights flash or gates are down, and never stop on the tracks; leave at least 15 feet between your vehicle and the nearest rail.
3. At crossings with only a crossbuck, slow down, look both ways and always expect a train.
4. If you stall on the tracks, get everyone out at once and move away at a 45-degree angle toward the approaching train, then call the number on the blue ENS sign or 911.

Common mistakes

• Squeezing past a bicyclist in the same lane. Iowa expects a full lane change.
• Trusting a motorcycle's turn signal. Many do not cancel on their own, so wait until the rider actually turns.
• Passing a snowplow on the right, where it is throwing snow onto the shoulder.
• Swerving for a deer and leaving the road. Brake firmly and stay in your lane.

Test yourself: Sharing the road in Iowa

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Iowa Permit Test
• Iowa Driving Test
• Iowa Intermediate License Rules