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 Oregon, drivers are required by law to make lane changes safely and in accordance with the rules of the road. This includes staying within a single lane and only changing lanes when it is safe to do so, ensuring a safe distance from other vehicles, and using turn signals to indicate the lane change. Failing to adhere to these requirements can result in a citation for an unsafe lane change. Penalties typically involve a fine and may include demerit points on the driver's record. Enforcement of these laws involves the discretion of the police officer issuing the citation and the prosecutor handling the case. Ultimately, a judge or jury will determine if the prosecution has proven its case to convict or find the driver responsible for the infraction. Oregon's traffic laws are codified in the Oregon Revised Statutes, and specific statutes outline the obligations and penalties related to lane changes and other traffic violations.