Texas Transportation Code § 545.060 – Roadways Laned for Traffic
Table of Contents
Statutory Text:
§ 545.060(a):
A vehicle must be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane, and may not be moved from that lane unless such movement can be made safely.§ 545.060(b):
When two or more lanes are designated for traffic, the Texas Transportation Commission may adopt rules requiring vehicles to remain in designated lanes.
What Is the Texas Failure to Maintain Lane Law?
Section 545.060 requires all drivers to:
Stay entirely within their designated lane
Only change lanes when it is safe to do so
It applies to all multi-lane roads and highways and is often cited in:
Car accident cases
Police crash reports
Personal injury lawsuits based on driver negligence
Key Elements of a Violation
To prove a driver violated § 545.060:
The driver left their lane
The movement was not safe under the conditions
The departure contributed to or caused a crash
Example Scenario
A driver veers out of their lane on the highway and sideswipes another vehicle.
Police cite the driver for failure to maintain a single lane under § 545.060.
In a personal injury claim, this citation can support negligence per se.
Civil Liability and § 545.060
Frequently used to establish fault in car accident cases
A violation may constitute negligence per se
Can be used by insurance companies or injury attorneys to determine liability
Is Lane Drift Always Illegal?
No. A brief drift may not be a violation if done safely and without causing harm.
But unsafe lane departures, even if unintentional, can still lead to civil liability.
Related Statutes
§ 545.062 – Following Too Closely
§ 545.401 – Reckless Driving
§ 550.021 – Duty to Stop After Accident
Texas Case Law Interpreting § 545.060
Held that failure to maintain a single lane is not a violation unless the movement is shown to be unsafe.
Reaffirmed that lane departure is not sufficient by itself—there must be evidence of danger or unsafe driving.
Frequently Asked Questions About § 545.060
Houston Personal Injury Lawyer - Joel A. Gordon
Only if the lane departure is unsafe or causes a hazard. Merely crossing a lane line is not automatically illegal.
Yes. A violation of § 545.060 can be used as evidence of negligence in a car accident claim.
Not likely brief, safe movements are not a violation if no hazard or crash results.
Usually a traffic citation and fine, but in injury cases, it can lead to civil liability.
Reinforced that governments are not liable unless they knew of the condition and failed to warn.