Bernsen Law Firm Attorney Cade Bernsen Featured in Chron Discussing Texas Traffic Law

Bernsen Law Firm attorney Cade Bernsen was recently featured in Chron, where he provided legal insight on a Texas traffic law that many drivers may not realize exists.

The article explored Texas Transportation Code Section 545.423, which generally prohibits motorists from driving through parking lots, driveways, or business entrances to bypass traffic signals or stop signs. While many people view cutting through a gas station or shopping center as a harmless shortcut, the law was created to help reduce the risk of crashes involving pedestrians, customers, and other vehicles in areas not intended for through traffic.

During the interview, Bernsen explained that the greatest concern is public safety. Drivers attempting to save time by avoiding an intersection can create unexpected hazards for people walking to businesses, fueling their vehicles, or navigating parking lots. Understanding and following Texas traffic laws helps make roadways and private property safer for everyone. Gas stations, convenience stores, and shopping centers were designed to provide safe access for customers, not to serve as shortcuts around traffic. Turning these areas into through routes can create dangerous conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, all to save only a few seconds. In the worst cases, that decision can change lives in an instant.

As a personal injury attorney, Bernsen frequently educates the public on legal issues involving motor vehicle accidents, roadway safety, and driver responsibility throughout Texas. Media interviews like this reflect the firm’s commitment to helping Texans better understand the laws that affect their everyday lives while promoting safer driving practices.

Understanding Texas Transportation Code Section 545.423

Texas Transportation Code Section 545.423 generally prohibits a driver from using a parking lot, driveway, sidewalk, or business entrance at an intersection to avoid a traffic control device when turning from one roadway onto another. Although many motorists are unaware of this law, violating it may result in a traffic citation and, more importantly, can increase the risk of collisions in areas where pedestrians and vehicles frequently interact.

Parking lots and gas stations are engineered for vehicles entering, exiting, parking, and pedestrian activity—not for drivers attempting to bypass traffic. The few seconds a shortcut may save are rarely worth the increased risk of causing a serious crash that could permanently affect your life or someone else’s. Choosing to obey traffic signals rather than taking shortcuts through private property helps protect pedestrians, reduce parking lot crashes, and improve safety for everyone on the road.

Read the original article on Chron:
https://www.chron.com/culture/article/texas-red-light-gas-station-shortcut-22330430.php