Improper Speed or Distance

Iowa law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal.

Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to operate a vessel:

• At greater than “slow, no wake speed” in any posted “no wake zone”
• At greater than 5 miles per hour (mph) within 100 feet of another vessel that is underway at 5 mph or less
• At greater than 5 mph within 50 feet of another vessel that is underway at greater than 5 mph
• At greater than 10 mph unless vision is unobstructed for at least 200 feet ahead
• At greater than 10 mph within 300 feet of shore (except in specially zoned areas) on any inland lake or federal impoundment
• At greater than 25 mph between one-half hour after sunset and sunrise on any lake in Dickinson County
• At greater than 10 mph between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise on Lake Delhi