According to the state government, lane splitting for motorcycles reduces traffic jams and improves roadway safety. Yes, lane splitting does in fact save a lot of time from getting stuck in the long, continuous hours of traffic. This guide will help you break down the. Lane splitting – also referred to as “lane sharing” – was codified on January 1,. Alaska Lane Splitting LawsMotorcycle lane splitting is not legal in Alaska. Tea stop conversations start the same type of debate that rages when discussing crossing a solid white line to pass queuing. You should keep up-to-date with your state’s regulations, or any other states that you might plan to driv. Lane splitting is riding a bicycle or motorcycle between lanes or rows of slow moving or stopped traffic moving in the same direction. This practice is illegal in Texas and can land motorcyclists in trouble. "A. Legislation was introduced in 2017 to make lane splitting legal in. ”. If you own and ride a motorcycle, it’s essential to be aware of the fact that motorcycle laws vary from state to state, especially in regards to lane splitting, lane filtering, and lane sharing. ”. Motor Vehicles Chapter 35. As a rider, I do wish that lane filtering/splitting was legal under certain conditions. A Lane Splitting Accident Can Be a Legal Problem for Victims If the Damage Was Personal Injury or Death. Lane Splitting Laws in Texas. By: Janaki Jitchotvisut. Lane-splitting laws should be nothing for these people. In his former life, he ran companies with recognizable brand names. The law does not apply in school zones or work zones. While lane splitting occurs more often with motorcycles, it is also illegal to lane split in a car or any other motor vehicle. Nonetheless, due to motorcycles being smaller and harder to spot from far away distances; lane splitting can put them in danger of getting hit by drivers when they switch lanes. , you. Stipulations in Texas Laws Regarding Lane Splitting. Adding lane-splitting only complicates. Drivers may not see someone lane-splitting when switching lanes; Lane splitting makes it harder to deal with bad weather or road conditions; Motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries or death if they occur while lane splitting; While there may be ways to mitigate some of these dangers, it can’t be proved that lane. In 2017, California passed a law permitting lane splitting, making it the only state allowing motorcyclists to split lanes. Are Lane Splitting and Lane Sharing Legal? It is crucial to remember, lane splitting is illegal on any public roadway in Ohio, no matter whether it is a highway or a city street. 9 allows the operator of a two-wheeled motorcycle to overtake stopped or slow-moving vehicles at a speed not. It isn’t allowed on freeways. In California, motorcycles cannot exceed ten mph above the speed of surrounding traffic when lane splitting. The lane width is sufficient to allow safe passage. The practice is legal in 26 countries, including Ireland, Sweden and Singapore, and California is set to become the first state to legally formalize “lane splitting,” which allows the. However, this practice is legal in several states surrounding Idaho, such as California and Utah. S. for your bike before you hit the road. As of 2022, Californiais the first and only state to make lane splitting explicitly legal, and before that, it was a respected practice. For. This guide will help you break down the. 2) It is dangerous to split traffic on a motorcycle just like it is on a bicycle. Call a Plainfield, IL criminal defense lawyer at 815-666-1285. It does not matter their level of experience, their age, or whether. Lane filtering is different from lane splitting – which still remains illegal in Utah. Though lane splitting is not explicitly. Lane splitting, also called lane sharing or white lining, is when a motorcyclist maneuvers their bike between lanes or rows of unmoving or barely moving vehicles that are heading the same way. In 2017, California passed a law permitting lane splitting, making it the only state allowing motorcyclists to split lanes. There is no specific law addressing lane splitting in Alaska, so the legality of this practice is something of a gray area. Although SC law does not explicitly use the terms “lane splitting” or “lane filtering,” SC Code Section 56-5-3640 says: (a) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any. The state of North Carolina does not currently have a specific law which bans lane splitting, thought it is always. 7 percent). The bill was named AB-51. (Required) Lane splitting is common among motorcyclists and bicyclists. If you’re a rider and you have ever wondered whether lane splitting on a motorcycle is legal in South Carolina, the answer is a clear no. The details of the law are outlined below, in our original piece from when the Arizona state legislature signed this bill into law in March, 2022. This legislation update allows motorcyclists to split lanes provided that: The rider observes a speed limit of 20 mph. In January 2017, the aptly-named State Senator Jeff Kruse ® introduced Senate Bill 385, which would have allowed lane splitting in Oregon, if the rider was on a roadway marked for at least 50 mph in traffic moving slower than 10 mph. However, like in most of the US, it was generally frowned upon. Here is a COMPLETE guide go lane splitting legal states containing AZ & Montanan + federal in each state. Lane splitting, also called lane sharing and traffic filtering, is 100 percent legal in the Golden State, simply because it's not illegal. The California Highway Patrol wrote educational safety guidelines for lane-splitting after the passage of Assembly Bill 51, which became law on Jan. In 12 other states, including Delaware, Kentucky, Texas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Missouri, Ohio. They are: The answer is yes. Passengers in Alaska are not required to wear an age limit, but they are encouraged to wear a helmet and proper footwear. Lane Splitting. Oakland, CA 94601. Cops could probably find a law already on the books to cite you for if they wanted to give you a hard time about it. Examples of driver negligence include speeding, swerving, sudden braking and lane. The number of motorcycle riders killed throughout Oregon has been growing in the past five years, AAA said, with 95 killed last year alone. The lane width is sufficient to allow safe passage. However, in the United States, it is only legally permitted in a handful of states. In all other states, it is currently illegal. After being “not illegal” and common practice for many years, it was made explicitly legal in 2016. Many motorcyclists find lane splitting convenient, especially in. This means the act of lane splitting is neither explicitly legal or illegal. Alaska: For passengers and for all under 18: Required by law unless equipped with windscreen which is 15″ or higher above handlebars: Not. Do not ride between rows of stopped or moving motor vehicles. 827 Liberty St, Waynesboro, GA 30830, United States. (Photo courtesy of the AMA) S. Previously, Texas had no laws addressing lane splitting at all. Image Credit: motorcycle. It’s not enforced at all, but the traffic law actually states that during stopped traffic a motorcyclist must filter all the way to the front for higher visibility, and use the designated motorcycle spots. A: Currently, lane splitting is only legal in eight states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. As a rider, I do wish that lane filtering/splitting was legal under certain conditions. Put differently, lane splitting involves driving along the dashed line between rows of vehicles, turning it into a temporary, mini-express lane solely for motorcycles. There is no longer an official rule that makes lane splitting illegal or legal in California. Lane splitting laws differ from state to state. Suppose a motorcycle is involved in. According to the Colorado Motorcycle Operator’s Handbook, it is also illegal for a motorcycle rider to pass or overtake a vehicle in the same lane as is sharing a lane with cars. Personal Injury Law. Alaska Statutes . It is legal only in a limited number of states. Florida Statute 316. Offenses and Accidents Section 185. The law authorizes the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to develop educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that would ensure the safety of. Whether a rider is using lane splitting for safety or impatience, is it legal in Louisiana? The short answer is. The lack of legislation on this issue leaves room for interpretation and enforcement by law enforcement officers. Some argue that lane-splitting is a safer way for motorcyclists to navigate heavy traffic. Lane-sharing. • Lane-splitting causes confusion at intersections. (1) All motorcycles are entitled to. Assembly Bill No. After being signed by the governor, it went into effect on May 14, 2019. This means it is never legal on the freeway. This section of the North Carolina motor vehicle code specifies that vehicles are. How to Safely Lane Filter Just because lane filtering is now legal in. A motorcycle may overtake a vehicle on the left only if that vehicle is. It is controversial, and its legality varies from place to place. Only a handful of states don’t have laws against lane-splitting!” NO, this is looking at different data. This practice is often conflated with lane sharing, which describes two vehicles riding side-by-side in the same lane of traffic. Lane splitting is outlawed in 49 states in the United States. The state doesn’t allow lane splitting but you can’t ride on the shoulder of the road when traffic is heavy. The lane-splitting law does not permit motorcyclists to ride on the shoulder of the road or to share a lane with a large vehicle such as a semi-truck or a motorhome. I quick look Alaska is not, its specifically banned. 4. Time. However, the law states that only two riders. His offices are located at 235 Montgomery St. Splitting lanes in Arkansas, Delaware, Washington, DC, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and West Virginia is not legal, nor is it illegal, but if you do it, you might get a citation. The passage of Senate Bill 1273, sponsored by Sen. Tamir Rise of US Berkeley, Safe Transportation Research & Education Center (SafeTrec). When done between vehicles stopped at a traffic signal, it is called “lane filtering. In motorcycle lane-filtering, a motorcyclist who is stopped at the rear of two lanes full of vehicles may. thePunisher1220 Z 400 •. While it’s only explicitly legal in. This technique, while great for moving through congested areas quickly, is illegal in NYC. In some states, it is not explicitly illegal while in others, like Tennessee, it is banned under state law. Is lane splitting legal in Texas? Truth is, Texas has no law that explicitly mentions lane splitting. As of 2008, the state Code was revised to include 3-wheelers as motorcycles. The speed limit. This is illegal in Oregon and can be dangerous. Lane splitting by a motorcyclist can lead to a misdemeanor charge in Illinois. The law also states that maneuvering around lanes has to be done safely, which leaves some ambiguity about what exactly constitutes “safe” lane splitting. The practice has been legal in neighboring California since 2017, where riders are. m. Whether or not you think lane-splitting is a good idea, it is important to be aware of the dangers and risks associated with the practice. To clarify, lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides in the space between two lanes, driving in the gap between two cars. While lane splitting is legal in some. No, absolutely do not "send it" between cars. Section 21658. Lane splitting in California was never illegal, but AB 51 was signed into law that officially made California lane splitting legal and sanctioned. RS 32:191. California would be the first state to sanction the traffic. State lawmakers, twice. Lane splitting in Utah. In most accounts of lane splitting experiences, people tend to combine splitting and filtering into a single category. In most cases, motorcycle filtering accidents are the result of an inappropriate speed differential. New Mexico is a state that specializes in comparative negligence. I think it should be legal for motorcycles to ride in breakdown lanes when traffic is at a complete standstill, but only at a low speed. 5-10mph range. Currently, California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. Who we are; Warehouse Locations; Join our TeamQ: Lane splitting is technically legal for motorcyclists in California, but the way it is done is often not legal. com. In Idaho, lane splitting is strictly illegal. The survey revealed that approximately 87 percent of motorcycle riders in California engage in lane-splitting. It can be dangerous, requiring advanced riding skills, and can lead to accidents. The state allows lane splitting. Several other states have proposed legislation to make it. From La. The amendment arose in Texas State. Lane-splitting is not legal in Florida, in fact, the only U. In the video mentioned earlier in this article ( here’s the link again , just in case), the Utah Department of Public Safety attempts to show what safe lane filtering looks like. Motorcycle lane splitting is not legal in Alaska. You could even lose your motorcycle license through repeated violations. California is the only state to enact a law that allows lane splitting. What Is Lane Splitting? Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of slow-moving traffic. Motorcyclists typically lane split to avoid stopping in heavy or stopped traffic. S. This is generally done in areas of high congestion when traffic is slow-moving or completely stopped. The state classifies lane splitting as “lane filtering” and is legal in certain situations. ”. I did come across this when looking up the actual law awhile ago, this is the statute verbatim: Lane Splitting 257. As a motorcyclist, it is important to know the laws on lane splitting in your state. Here are three ways lane splitting helps both drivers and motorcyclists. Lane-splitting is illegal in Florida and most states except California. Under the legislation, motorcyclists would be able to use lane-splitting on roads with speed limits of less than 45 mph. The Montana Senate Bill 9 went into effect on October 1, 2021, making lane-splitting legal in Big Sky Country. By Michael Steinger Published March 10, 2022 The legality of lane splitting has long been a cause for debate in the United States. Texas Lane Splitting LawsLane splitting is not legal in Nevada. These rules often change and adapt, and a lawyer can help guide you to ensure your legal safety. Lane splitting is driving through traffic congestion or slow-moving vehicles in the area between two traffic lanes. AAC 02. However, state law may not place any strict limits in terms of speed, but it is recommended that motorcyclists avoid splitting lanes by moving faster than 10 mph more than the drivers around them or when surrounding. Utah uses the term lane filtering to describe the practice and defines it thusly: “Lane filtering” means, when operating a motorcycle other than an autocycle, the act of overtaking and. In some states it isn't a crime to lane split with your motorcycle, and in others, it's not legal or illegal. Meanwhile, lane splitting can include riding between moving vehicles, which can put you at risk of an accident. 1 as driving a motorcycle, that has two wheels which are in contact with the ground, in between rows of moving or stopped vehicles in the same lane, including on undivided and divided highways, roads, or streets. New law becomes official Sept. Only California allows lane splitting of any kind; some will debate it as a blessing, while others claim it’s a curse. So when an accident occurs due to lane splitting, how it is handled may depend on the officer that arrives at the scene. Johnson said a WSP lieutenant spotted a motorcyclist lane splitting on northbound State Route 167 Wednesday morning and attempted to stop the rider. § 40-6-312, lane splitting is illegal in Georgia. You. Speed. Motorcycle lane-splitting — the rush-hour time saver for bikers that enrages many drivers — may be poised for formal legalization. It’s often associated in North America with California – hence the term the “California Roll”, where it’s legal under. It is illegal throughout most of the United States. 1, 2021. Lane-splitting is currently legal in California, but illegal in most other states. 060 states that all road users must remain within a single. The state’s Vehicle Code explicitly prohibits the practice, stating that “No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. Motorcycle Lane Splitting (AB 51, Quirk): This law defines “lane splitting” as driving a two-wheeled motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane. However, under House Bill 917, it will be legal for motorcycles to go between lanes, provided that they run at five to 15 mph above the surrounding traffic. For. Fortunately, Vermont, Alaska and the District of Columbia each reported less than ten fatalities in 2020. Today, a cop told me that it was and when I sent screenshots from a law office that says it isnt legal nor illegal and that they would cite you for reckless driving instead, he said “Go ahead and try lane splitting in Kentucky. It reduces traffic congestion: When motorcycles are allowed to split lanes, they can weave through congested traffic much more easily than cars, which helps ease traffic jams. What it did show, is that you're a salty driver that hate people that pass you up. (B) if a lane change under (A) of this paragraph would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed considering the traffic, roadway, and weather conditions; (2) with fewer than two lanes traveling in the same direction, unless otherwise. Yes, lane splitting does in fact save a lot of time from getting stuck in the long, continuous hours of traffic. G. Proposals to allow lane splitting have been introduced repeatedly in Oregon but. However, lane sharing is legal, and two motorcycles can ride beside each other, or slightly staggered, in the same lane. In the United States, lane splitting is illegal in most states, with a few states allowing it with some exceptions. The state doesn’t allow lane splitting but you can’t ride on the shoulder of the road when traffic is heavy. Alaska driving laws require motorcycle helmets all underage riders and all passengers. D. It involves passing between stopped or slowed lanes of traffic. Yes, motorcyclists can share a driving lane side-by-side in Texas. Given the current trends in Pennsylvania traffic laws, it doesn’t look like it will become legal anytime soon. It became legal in January 2017 [1]. Imitation Controlled Substances. The relevant New York statute states, “No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines. Though North Carolina law does not specifically prohibit lane splitting, the. I had the piss scared outa me one day: Motor cop bleeped his siren. Lane splitting is legal in some states, while it is illegal in others. Lane-splitting – also known as “white-lining” or “filtering” – is a motorcycle-riding technique in which a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. Lane splitting is not legal in the United States (in most states), that being said, there are some exceptions. In North America, it’s not as accepted. Drivers of cars are used to. ”. Whether or not a state has official laws against lane-filtering doesn’t really affect local LEO’s perception of it. Lane filtering is available in Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, and Utah. According to California’s AB-51, lane splitting is defined as “a motorcycle ridden between rows of. Only a handful of states don’t have laws against lane-splitting!” NO, this is looking at different data. According to Oregon state law, a Class A violation could result in a maximum fine of $2,000, and a minimum fine of $225. Conclusion. Every state has different laws about lane splitting, or weaving your bike between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. Motorcyclists commonly practice two types of lane splitting in Virginia. In contrast, when driving on city streets. You should keep up-to-date with your state’s regulations, or any other states that you might plan to driv. The state does not have any specific laws that address or regulate lane splitting. Over the course of the past few weeks, a number of States have kickstarted 2019 by opening discussions about the possibility of making motorcycle lane splitting or filtering legal. C. – Lane splitting is a privilege enjoyed by California motorcyclists. Splitting isn’t permitted by law, and filtering is mandatory. Legal Complexities: The legality of lane splitting varies broadly. Opening a vehicle door to impede a motorcyclist is illegal. 9 allows the operator of a two-wheeled motorcycle to overtake stopped or slow-moving vehicles at a speed not. Filtering in Utah became legal in May. Virtually all side streets and highways have white lines used as a boundary to indicate the division between multiple lanes of traffic. ” There is a lot of traffic in California, the weather is good, and there are many more motorcycle riders than in. Why Is Lane Splitting Illegal? In 2016, the state’s House Committee rejected a bill that would allow lane splitting in certain situations, citing safety concerns regarding the practice. Some states, like Texas, are considering changing their laws to allow lane-splitting . A handful of states have legalized lane “splitting” or “filtering” to some degree. ”. Technically, lane splitting is the term for riders who are moving while the traffic around them is also moving. In Utah, filtering through traffic is only permitted under certain conditions. B. Tyler Pace (R-Mesa District 23) and championed by ABATE of Arizona, allows riders to cruise slowly between lanes at speeds no faster than 15 mph if the other vehicles are stopped. gov -. No, lane splitting is illegal in Connecticut and has a section ( Sec. Here are three key things to know:. Many riders think Lane splitting is not really lane splitting but attempted murder or suicide death by idiocy. 185. They smack mirrors, ride dangerously fast in slower traffic, and act with. As of 2022, Californiais the first and only state to make lane splitting explicitly legal, and before that, it was a respected practice. In New York it is not completely clear if Lane Splitting (or filtering as you might hear it called) is allowed as there are no specific laws that mention it as either legal or illegal for motorcycle riders. So, there’s not a state law that says no lane splitting or no. In 2016, California passed a law 6 that authorized the state Highway Patrol to develop guidelines for legal lane splitting. The first one is commonly known as lane sharing. Some argue that lane splitting encourages road rage from drivers who become frustrated when motorcycles pass them while they stay stuck in traffic. Adam Ramirez, J. When it comes to ensuring that motorcyclists are safe on the road, state traffic laws are very important, and New York has several laws in place regarding motorcyclists. So when an accident occurs due to lane splitting, how it is handled may depend on the officer that arrives at the scene. ” There is a lot of traffic in California, the weather is good, and there are many more motorcycle riders than in. Then it was lagalised with specific verbiage in the vehicle code. However, like in most of the US, it was generally frowned upon. Lane splitting is where you can ride between vehicles that are moving slowly or are stationary. Lane splitting is where you can ride between vehicles that are moving slowly or are stationary. While it is legal in some states, lane splitting puts motorcyclists at risk of serious injury and death. Arizona Lane splitting in Arizona is currently illegal. Lane splitting, also referred to as lane sharing or filtering, is a common practice in many parts of the world. For instance, it’s legal in California but illegal in some other states. First, not only is lane-sharing or lane-splitting legal in California, but the CHP wrote the safety guidelines as instructed in AB51, which was approved by Gov. August 12, 2022. In cases of severe gridlock, motorcyclists may lane split through multiple lanes of traffic. For the other 49 states, the act of lane splitting is either fully illegal, or no clear legislation on the matter currently exists. No, lane-splitting is not legal in Las Vegas or anywhere else in the state. General Provisions. Colorado: Illegal: Delaware: Illegal: No. Alaska. Lane splitting, also known as lane sharing, is a practice that was officially legalized in California in August 2016. [1] [2] It is sometimes called whitelining, or. California is the only state that recognizes lane splitting as legal. Lane-Splitting in California. Riding between marked lanes of traffic allows them to get to the front of the line. “Lane splitting” or “lane filtering” will be legal in Montana beginning Oct. Driver Negligence. This is common in California where motorcycles are allowed to do this as long as. You can only ride between lanes of traffic stopped at a light. Nonetheless, due to motorcycles being smaller and harder to spot from far away distances; lane splitting can put them in danger of getting hit by drivers when they switch lanes. The Step-by-Step Guide California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. ”. Lane splitting is widely regarded as illegal in Canada. But, even though it might not be a smart move, is lane-splitting legal in Louisiana? Let's look at the statute. C. It has. Finally, most states still have laws on the books making lane splitting illegal. It occurs when two motorcycles ride side-by-side within the same lane. If you own and ride a motorcycle, it’s essential to be aware of the fact that motorcycle laws vary from state to state, especially in regards to lane splitting, lane filtering, and lane sharing. According to the University of California Berkeley, lane splitting on a. Chapter 73. Lane filtering, a similar practice, describes riding the stripe. Lane splitting, also known as filtering, is a driving maneuver in which a motorcycle rider travels between two lanes of slower-moving or stopped traffic. The Montana Senate Bill 9 went into effect on October 1, 2021, making lane-splitting legal in Big Sky Country. Texas Lane Splitting LawsLane splitting is not legal in Nevada. Reply . Some states have definitions in the law for how lane splitting should be carried out, others simply allow it. Dovah November 4, 2022 At 4:46 pm. A summary of current state laws specific to lane splitting and lane filtering. Jerry Brown in 2016. State law prohibits this type of riding, and motorcyclists that are in an accident while lane splitting often face liability for the damage. The state is committed to reducing the number of motorcycle fatalities on the roads by enforcing laws that are designed for safety. Why Is Lane Splitting Legal in California? California’s Vehicle Code specifically permits the practice of lane splitting, which it defines as “driving a motorcycle between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane. June 5, 2022. 880 21st ave n. have extensive experience in building strong defenses to avoid costly fines and jail time. It’s not only legal, but expected that motorcyclists will go to the front of the line at Washington State Ferry Terminals, but lane splitting is illegal in Washington. Motorcycles can, however, share a lane known as “co-riding. 316. Since the volume of freeway traffic in California is higher than in most other states, strategies are necessary to reduce the number of vehicles on the road. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, “Passing or overtaking a vehicle in the same lane is illegal in Colorado; no lane sharing or splitting with cars. Skip to content. Alaska’s Motorcycle Lane Sharing Law. Lane filtering is allowed in Arizona, but only in certain conditions. As a motorcycle rider, that means you need to remain stationary when traffic is stuck, even if you feel that you can slip through the lanes and reach your destination. Arguments for lane. Although it might save time and be convenient, lane splitting is a risky driving behavior, and therefore, illegal in Illinois. Lane splitting, also known as “white lining” and even “lane filtering” in some regions, is a practice where a motorcyclist rides their bike between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic on a multi-lane road. Legal lane splitting moves traffic forward faster, but yes, the way some riders lane split can be perceived as negative. Some people believe that lane splitting is legal in Mississippi, while others believe that it is not. Commissions do not affect. If you ever become involved in a motorcycle accident, a Law Tigers attorney can help. The post Texas Lane Splitting Laws In 2023. We would like to have additional research to provide information about the safety or dangers of lane splitting. Violators of this law may face fines. (a) For the purposes of this section, “ lane splitting ” means 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. That being said, lane splitting is only considered illegal since you cannot find any specific laws that permit or allow motorbike riders to move between automobiles that are within their lanes. As of this writing, lane splitting is only legal in one state: California, though Utah and Hawaii have legalized modified versions of lane splitting. This is not to be confused with. (B) if a lane change under (A) of this paragraph would be impossible, prohibited by law, or unsafe, slow to a reasonable and prudent speed considering the traffic, roadway, and weather conditions; (2) with fewer than two lanes traveling in the same direction, unless otherwise. It was neither legal nor explicitly illegal as it is now. First, not only is lane-sharing or lane-splitting legal in California, but the CHP wrote the safety guidelines as instructed in AB51, which was approved by Gov. The definition of lane splitting refers to the act of riding a motorcycle between rows of moving vehicles. 1 as driving a motorcycle, that has two wheels which are in contact with the ground, in between rows of moving or stopped vehicles in the same lane, including on undivided and divided highways, roads, or streets. Lane splitting takes advantage of the slim profile of a motorcycle, allowing it to maneuver between cars and navigate congestion more efficiently. lane splitting was not legalized by California, but rather by removing the law prohibiting it from the state constitution. A: Splitting lanes is only legal when traffic is moving 40 miles per hour or slower. Drivers of cars are used to. Reply. Hawk Law Group – Aiken County, SC. In some states it isn't a crime to lane split with your motorcycle, and in others, it's not legal or illegal. Lane filtering is where a motorcycle rider moves past stopped or slow-moving vehicles at 30km/h or less. You're just being a nuisance if you're going more than ~20mph over the rate of traffic and going to get yourself killed. However, lane splitting is a somewhat confusing legal subject in North Carolina. Drivers may collide with lane-splitting riders when changing lanes. motorcycle insurance. As we mentioned, lane splitting is not legal in the state of Florida. ”.