Is It Illegal To Change Lanes In An Intersection In Mississippi?

Our research did not locate a statute making it illegal to change lanes at an intersection in Mississippi.

It is considered a higher-risk driving maneuver, so it is often frowned upon, and can still result in a ticket (on other grounds).

Our article below provides related background on legal statutes for changing lanes, driving through intersections, and making turns safely.

Is It Illegal To Change Lanes In An Intersection In Mississippi? (EXPLAINED)

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Where Are The Laws That I Can Look To In Order To Confirm Whether Lane Changes In An Intersection In This State Are Legal/Illegal?

The best place to look to confirm whether a maneuver is legal (or not) is the current and applicable laws of the state you are present in (not the DMV handbook or a news article).

While not specifically discussing intersections and lane changes, Mississippi Code § 63-3-603 does state:

(a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.
Source: Mississippi Code § 63-3-603

The Mississippi Code § 63-3-609 refers to overtaking or passing another vehicle:

(a) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.

Additionally, a driver must not increase their speed when being overtaken by another vehicle and before their action has been completed:

(b) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
Source: Mississippi Code § 63-3-609

Turning at an intersection is legislated under Mississippi Code § 63-703:

(a) Both the approach for a right turn and the turn itself shall be made as close as practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
Source: Mississippi Code § 63-703

Furthermore, signaling including providing sufficient advanced warning to both drivers and pedestrians is covered under statute § 63-3-707.

Neither changing lanes nor overtaking at an intersection was found to be prohibited, as long as it is conducted safely.

Why Do People Generally Think That It’s Illegal To Change Lanes In An Intersection?

It is fairly common to be taught in driver’s education that it is illegal to change lanes in an intersection.

Despite the lack of a specific law on the books, it is also common to see the mandate against the maneuver in manuals and materials published by the state DMV.

Given the potential risk in the action, especially when done in a careless manner, it makes sense that it would not be encouraged.

Any lane change must be done with due care.

Intersections are tough to navigate safely, so unnecessary lane changes while driving through one seem like it should be illegal.

Despite this, it is untrue in Mississippi and most other states as well.

But If It Is Not Illegal In Mississippi To Change Lanes In An Intersection, Why Did I Get A Ticket?

Law enforcement officers are looking for driving that is unsound, erratic or breaks the law in some way.

They do not want to commit to a traffic stop—some of which have led to severely negative outcomes for law enforcement – unless it’s necessary to do so.

For instance, weaving in and out of traffic when in a hurry to get somewhere can be concerning.

After all, this isn’t NASCAR! Even from a skilled driver, it can seem unnecessary to a third-party observer.

Making a turn without signaling or being wrongly positioned can also be a cause for stopping a driver too.

In areas where driving under the influence is a common problem at certain hours, any odd driving actions may indicate a traffic stop is required.

Also, it is worth considering that it could be a combination of things occurring that ultimately resulted in a stop and receiving a traffic citation.

What Happens If A Car Accident Results?

When there has been a car accident inside the intersection or just beyond it, driving actions near or within the intersection will be questioned.

Is it possible that a change lane caused another driver to react differently, causing a domino effect?

Any unusual driving or lane change in an intersection is automatically a red flag.

Accident investigators will be looking into whether certain driving actions, including yours, led to the accident.

With damage to vehicles, property, or people, it becomes far more significant too.

Depending upon your contribution to the collision, advice from a Minnesota motor vehicle accident lawyer could be helpful, even if you have insurance that will cover the damages.

In certain cases, consulting with a Minnesota criminal defense lawyer may also make sense.

Consulting the appropriate attorney early on in your case might do you a world of good, or at least calm some of your anxieties or fears about the outcome.

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