Is it legal in Kentucky to change lanes in an intersection? What traffic laws require
Whether you’re battling traffic or just trying to make a sudden turn, changing lanes inside an intersection is not just dangerous, in Kentucky, it could also land you an expensive reckless driving ticket and points against your license.
A lot is happening in an intersection, and the best thing you can do is be predictable for other drivers passing through.
Here’s how Kentucky traffic law would likely view and deal with intersection lane changes, particularly if they are deemed to put others on the road at risk.
Does Kentucky have a law against changing lanes in an intersection?
While Kentucky doesn’t have a law explicitly prohibiting changing lanes within an intersection, it’s generally ill-advised and could be considered reckless driving.
Long-standing Kentucky law establishes “the operator of any vehicle upon a highway shall operate the vehicle in a careful manner, with regard for the safety and convenience of pedestrians and other vehicles upon the highway.”
The law also emphasizes that drivers shall not operate a vehicle in a “reckless or negligent manner” that puts other people and property at risk, either in or near the road. Breaking the law means you could end up losing your driving privileges in Kentucky.
So what is reckless driving in Kentucky? Some typical examples, according to the Lexington-based Baldani Law Group, include the following:
Making erratic or unnecessary lane changes
Passing other vehicles at inappropriate times
Drag racing
Following other vehicles too closely
Driving 15 miles per hour or higher above the speed limit
Additionally, Kentucky law requires drivers making left-hand turns to do so in “the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic.” For right turns, the rule is similar: They must be made as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Drivers can’t make left-hand turns from the far right lane and vice versa.
In the commonwealth, drivers are generally required to keep right when traveling on a highway, and when they do pass other vehicles, drivers must be “reasonably clear” of the vehicle they’re overtaking.
Given all this, a law enforcement officer would be well within their rights to cite you for an “unsafe lane change” if the officer deemed your movement dangerous.
What is the potential penalty for changing lanes in an intersection?
As previously mentioned, Kentucky drivers who drive in a “reckless or negligent manner” could lose their driver’s license.
Kentucky has a point system for drivers. Once a driver accumulates 12 points (or seven for drivers younger than 18) in two years for various offenses, they can lose their driving privileges. A reckless driving offense is four points, while lesser offenses, such as improper lane usage, are three points.
According to the Florence law firm Busald, Funk and Zevely, improper lane use in Kentucky is attached to a $20 to $100 fine and almost $150 in court costs.
Do you have a question about the law in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com or fill out our Know Your Kentucky form.