Iowa Code
Iowa Code § 321.298 (2026)
Meeting and turning to right
✓ current as of July 2026
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Except as otherwise provided in section 321.297, vehicles or persons on horseback meeting each other on any roadway shall yield one-half of the roadway by turning to the right. [R60, §908; C73, §1000; C97, §1569; S13, §1569; C24, 27, 31, 35, §5020; C39, §5024.02; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §321.298] Referred to in §321.233, 321.482A, 805.8A(7)(b) For applicable scheduled fine, see §805.8A, subsection 7 Additional penalties for violations causing serious injury or death, see §321.482A
\nNotes of Decisions
Cited in 37
cases, 1947–1986 · leading case: Schmitt v. Jenkins Truck Lines, Inc., 170 N.W.2d 632 (Iowa 1969).
Schmitt v. Jenkins Truck Lines, Inc., 170 N.W.2d 632 (Iowa 1969). “552, 554 , and numerous decisions which follow it hold that violation of a statutory rule of the road, other than what is now section 321.298, is negligence unless the offending driver shows a legal excuse therefor.”
Schermer v. Muller, 380 N.W.2d 684 (Iowa 1986). “We focus first on the theory presented by the first specification, the allegation that Muller failed to yield one-half the traveled way in violation of Iowa Code section 321.298 (1981). If that one theory was supported by sufficient evidentiary material in the record, and…”
France v. Benter, 128 N.W.2d 268 (Iowa 1964). “There we held that failure to obey a statutory law of the road is negligence per se, except that violation of what is now section 321.298 is merely prima facie evidence of negligence.”
Wagaman v. Ryan, 142 N.W.2d 413 (Iowa 1966). “But, we are told, if defendant’s explanation of his presence in the wrong lane is rejected, all that is left is the fact of such presence, which is only prima facie evidence of negligence under Code section 321.298 requiring motorists who meet to give half the traveled way by…”
Christensen v. Kelley, 135 N.W.2d 510 (Iowa 1965). “Section 321.298, Code 1962, I.C.A. Under such circumstances it may be necessary and usually is correct to submit the issue of lookout, for if defendant was on the wrong side of the highway at the time of the collision he must have failed to keep a proper lookout for oncoming…”
Worthington v. McDonald, 68 N.W.2d 89 (Iowa 1955). “Defendant also contends plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence as a matter of law in violating section 321.298, Codes, 1950, 1954, which provides: “Persons * * * in # * * motor vehicles, meeting each other on the public highway, shall give one half of the traveled way…”
Berghammer v. Smith, 185 N.W.2d 226 (Iowa 1971). “Plaintiffs' petition alleged two grounds of negligence: (1) failure to yield one-half of the traveled right-of-way in violation of section 321.298, The Code, 1966, and (2) failure to keep and maintain a proper lookout.”
Lemke v. Mueller, 166 N.W.2d 860 (Iowa 1969). “Defendant alleged as the third specification of his affirmative defense decedent was negligent in failing to yield the directional right-of-way contrary to Code section 321.”
Spry v. Lamont, 132 N.W.2d 446 (Iowa 1965). “298, Codes 1958, 1962), keep a proper lookout and have her vehicle under control; also excessive speed under existing conditions and speed greater than permitted her to stop within the assured clear distance ahead (in violation of section 321.285). In connection with the…”
Hedges v. Conder, 166 N.W.2d 844 (Iowa 1969). “Plaintiff, on the other hand, contends these facts merely generate a jury issue as to plaintiff's negligence and the question was properly submitted by the court.”
Law Ex Rel. Law v. Hemmingsen, 89 N.W.2d 386 (Iowa 1958). “Principal controversy in the evidence has to do with which driver in meeting the other failed to give half the traveled way by turning to the right in violation of section 321.298, Code of 1954. Evidence for plaintiff is that the truck was partly in the Law, west, lane of…”
Silvia v. Pennock, 113 N.W.2d 749 (Iowa 1962). “552, 554 , and the many decisions which follow it hold the violation of statutory rules of the road, other than what is now section 321.298, is negligence as a matter of law unless a legal excuse for such violation is shown.”
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