In an effort to make highway travel safer and reduce the risk of car accidents, Texas law differentiates between passing lanes and cruising lanes. Before you enter a highway in Texas, it is important to know this difference and be aware of when you should use the left-hand lane. Otherwise, you could cause or contribute to a highway accident. Please speak with an experienced car accident lawyer in San Antonio for legal guidance and support.
What Is the Passing Lane on a Texas Highway?
On any Texas highway, the left lane is designated only for passing. If you are not sure whether the highway you are on has this rule in place, look for signs that say, “Left Lane for Passing Only.” However, it is safe to assume that this is the rule on any highway across Texas.
The left lane on a multi-lane highway should be kept open for passing and should not be used for faster traffic or as a “fast lane.” Remaining in the left-hand lane and using it as a cruising lane is not the intended roadway design in Texas, and can create traffic hazards by stopping up the passing lane.
The correct use of the left lane on a Texas highway is to enter it only when necessary to pass a slower-moving vehicle in the middle lane. The driver should only remain in the left lane for as long as is necessary to pass the vehicle, then return to the original lane of travel once it is safe to do so. Remaining in the passing lane and impeding the flow of traffic can be punished with a fine of up to $200 in Texas.
Can You Ever Pass to the Right?
There are some circumstances where you can lawfully pass a slower-moving vehicle on the vehicle’s right side in Texas. However, this is generally not condoned and can increase the risk of a car accident by placing a faster-moving driver among slower cars.
You may pass to the right on a road with two or more lanes of same-direction traffic if conditions are safe and you have enough room, the other vehicle is making a left-hand turn, the road is free of obstructions, or you are on a one-way street. You cannot pass to the right if it would cause you to drive on the shoulder of the highway.
What Are Cruising Lanes?
On a highway that is separated into two or more lanes of traffic in Texas, all other lanes besides the left-hand lane are designated cruising lanes. Cruising lanes allow drivers to move at more comfortable speeds without the need to drive fast to maintain the flow of traffic, as is the case in the passing lane.
If you wish to drive slower than the posted speed limit (which is typically 75 miles per hour on Texas highways), stick to the middle or right-hand cruising lanes. Avoid switching lanes too often for safety purposes. Weaving in and out of multiple lanes increases the risk of lane-change and sideswipe accidents.
What Causes Accidents on Texas Highways?
Incorrect use of travel lanes is a common cause of highway traffic accidents in Texas. A slow-moving driver staying in the left lane and impeding the flow of traffic, for example, can force faster-moving traffic into cruising lanes. Unsafe lane changes where a driver does not check blind spots or properly signal can also increase the risk of highway accidents, as can negligence such as distracted, drowsy and drunk driving. Speak with a personal injury lawyer in San Antonio for legal guidance,
If you get hurt in a highway accident in Texas due to negligence connected to passing vs. cruising lanes, contact us for a free consultation about a potential claim.