All states have laws that prohibit drivers from making unsafe lane changes. State laws generally require a driver on a road with marked lanes to operate the vehicle within a single lane and to move to another lane only at a time and in a manner that is safe.

This means a driver may not cross more than one lane of traffic at a time, must allow a safe distance between the driver’s vehicle and other vehicles, and must signal the lane change with a blinker, as required by law. The failure to do so may result in a ticket or citation for an unsafe lane change.

The penalty for making an unsafe lane change usually includes a fine and demerit points on your driver’s license or record.

As with many traffic violations, the officer issuing the citation and the prosecutor have significant discretion in determining whether there was a violation of a traffic law and whether the violation constitutes a certain offense, as defined by the state legislature in the traffic code or in a municipal ordinance.

This discretion to issue a ticket or citation and prosecute the charge against the driver is balanced by the discretion of the jury or judge in determining whether the prosecution met its burden of proof sufficient to convict the driver (for a criminal offense) or find the driver responsible (for a civil infraction, violation, or offense).

In Tennessee, as in other states, laws are in place to ensure that drivers make lane changes safely. Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 55-8-123 requires that a vehicle must be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and should not be moved from that lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made safely. Additionally, T.C.A. § 55-8-124 states that drivers must signal their intention to turn or change lanes continuously for at least fifty (50) feet before doing so. Failure to adhere to these rules can result in a citation for an unsafe lane change, which typically carries a fine and may add demerit points to the driver's license. The discretion to issue a citation lies with the law enforcement officer, while the decision to prosecute is with the prosecutor. Ultimately, a judge or jury will determine if the prosecution has met its burden of proof to convict or find the driver responsible for the infraction.