Wednesday, September 06, 2023

I was discussing lane splitting with a co-worker, we disagreed what was legal, so I looked it up. Currently, California is the only state where splitting lanes isn’t against the law.



The CHP’s guidelines state that motorcyclists should only split the lane when traffic flows at 40 MPH or less.
 Also, they should not travel more than 10 MPH over surrounding traffic.

It seems, that the LAW isn't spelled out online, just the "CHP Guidelines" 

Section 21658.1 (a) was added to the California Vehicle Code. According to this law, lane splitting is defined “as driving a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, that has two wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided streets, roads, or highways.

(b) The Department of the California Highway Patrol may develop educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that would ensure the safety of the motorcyclist and the drivers and passengers of the surrounding vehicles.

I think, from what I read, that this is due to the governor, and the lawmakers, making a law that gave the CHP the priveldge of spelling out what they would ticket for, and not ticket for, as reckless and dangerous motorcycle behavior. 

https://cartwrightlaw.com/articles/motorcycle-lane-splitting-in-california-legal-but-misunderstood/
https://www.mesrianilaw.com/blog/is-lane-splitting-legal-in-california/

2 comments:

  1. AZ allows it with a posted speed limit of 45mph with the lane splitting motorcycle traveling 15mph or less. Utah has a weird law that allows lane "filtering" but not technically lane splitting. However, none of this matters to me because (I'm in AZ) because I've seen too many youtube videos of guys getting whacked while lane splitting.

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  2. In most places where lane splitting is common, it is also illegal. The reason the authorities are ok with it anyway, is that it eases congestion, especially in cities. By not making it legal, the law can come down on the few fools who ride in a reckless manner.

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