Sharing the road with large and heavy commercial trucks is not easy. Big rigs move slower and have longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles. For this reason, some states have banned large trucks from using the left lane or “fast lane” alongside regular traffic.
Depending on where you are in Texas, commercial trucks may or may not be permitted to drive in the left lane. Rather than having a universal law, Texas allows local governments to determine lane usage for trucks. Speak with a San Antonio truck accident attorney for legal guidance.
In General, Trucks Can Use the Left Lane in Texas
With some citywide exceptions, large commercial trucks can drive in the left lane of a highway with three or more lanes in Texas. The State of Texas does not have a universal or statewide rule banning trucks from the left lane. However, it does give municipal governments the right to enact their own lane restrictions, as desired, based on local traffic and safety information. Several major cities in the state have gotten their own lane restrictions approved.
How Do Local Lane Restrictions Work?
In 1997, Texas passed laws allowing lane restrictions that gave county and city transportation officials the right to manage their own highway traffic more effectively. If a municipality wishes to block large trucks from specific lanes and highways, it must submit its request to the Texas Department of Transportation. The Department will conduct a study to determine if the proposal should be approved.
To be approved, a proposal typically must involve a highway in Texas with at least three lanes marked for traffic. In addition, the route involved must see an average of at least 4 percent commercial truck traffic. The lane restriction should extend for at least six miles of the highway suggested, and the lane subject to restrictions must not have any exits. If the proposal is approved, “No Trucks Left Lane” signs will be installed in the appropriate places.
Truck drivers are legally required to abide by local left lane restrictions when driving in Texas. If posted signage contains any other relevant details, such as trucks not permitted during certain hours, these rules must also be obeyed. If a truck driver violates a left lane restriction, he or she could receive a citation and fine.
Left-Lane Restrictions by City in Texas
Truck drivers and the trucking companies that create their routes must be aware of local lane restrictions when operating in Texas. The cities and highways in Texas where laws have been passed to restrict certain lanes from commercial trucks include:
- San Antonio: I-10, US-90, US-87
- Houston: I-45, I-10, US-290, TX-225
- Dallas: I-20, I-30, I-45, I-820
- Fort Worth: I-20, I-30, I-35, I-820, TX-360
Truck drivers must be on the lookout in these areas for signs prohibiting them from driving in the left-hand lane. Breaking left lane rules could lead to civil penalties or – if the violation causes an accident – liability for the wreck.
Truck Accidents and Left Lane Usage
Left lane restrictions for trucks have been put in place to prevent collisions and improve the safety of local highways. Places where commercial trucks are not allowed to drive in the left lane have noticed better traffic flow and reduced crash rates. Keeping trucks in the right or center lanes can prevent road rage and aggressive drivers.
If a truck driver violates or ignores a left lane restriction in Texas, this could lead to an accident. In these situations, proof of the lane violation can provide evidence of fault for the truck accident during an injury claim. Speak to a personal injury lawyer in San Antonio for more information about a specific case involving a left lane infraction.