This article is intended to outline the applicable statute for unsafe lane change violations in the State of Texas. If you would like to discuss your unsafe lane change ticket with an experienced traffic ticket attorney after reviewing the law listed below, please feel free to contact our office at 214-321-4105.
Sec. 545.060. DRIVING ON ROADWAY LANED FOR TRAFFIC.
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(a) An operator on a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic:
(1) shall drive as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane; and
(2) may not move from the lane unless that movement can be made safely.
(b) If a roadway is divided into three lanes and provides for two-way movement of traffic, an operator on the roadway may not drive in the center lane except:
(1) if passing another vehicle and the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance;
(2) in preparing to make a left turn; or
(3) where the center lane is designated by an official traffic-control device for movement in the direction in which the operator is moving.
(c) Without regard to the center of the roadway, an official traffic-control device may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or designating lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction.
(d) Official traffic-control devices prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of roadway may be installed.
Understanding the Statute
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The statute listed above can be found in the Texas Transportation Code. In the statute, the idea of an unsafe lane change is very subjective and much of the determination is left up to the opinion of the police officer who wrote the citation for unsafe lane change. Each case is very fact dependent on the determination of whether or not the lane change was actually unsafe. This is why it is important to discuss the facts of your case prior to discussing it with a prosecutor for the city or county in Texas where you have been charged. If you would like to discuss your unsafe lane change violation with our experienced traffic ticket attorneys, feel free to call our office today at 214-321-4105.
