Lane splitting is a common practice among motorcyclists, but is it safe? It’s a controversial topic, with most states taking a different approach to its legality.

Let’s discuss what lane splitting is, where it’s legal, the risks of doing it, and what to do if you find yourself involved in a motorcycle accident that’s a result of lane splitting.

What Is Lane Splitting?

Definition of Lane Splitting

Almost all highways and sidestreets have white lines that are used as a boundary to signify the division between multiple lanes of traffic. Lane-splitting occurs when motorcyclists drive between the traffic lanes on these lines to pass slower cars going the same way as them.

Common Scenarios of Lane Splitting

Lane splitting is convenient during certain scenarios for motorcyclists, like:

Weaving through congested traffic to get to the destination more quickly
Moving to the front of an intersection at a red light
On both city streets and highways to move faster during traffic jams

The Legality of Lane Splitting

Where is Lane Splitting Legal?

California is the only state to officially make lane splitting fully legal. They allow motorcyclists to ride between lanes of traffic with safety guidelines, recommending that lane splitting is not practiced when traffic is moving faster than 30 miles per hour.

Other states have gray areas with lane splitting, like:

Arizona
Hawaii
Montana
Utah

The following states don’t have rules governing lane splitting:

Arkansas
Delaware
Washington, D.C.
Idaho
Kentucky
Mississippi
Missouri
New Jersey
North Carolina
Ohio
Texas
West Virginia

In the rest of the states, lane splitting is marked as illegal.

Regulations and Guidelines

In the states with gray areas, lane splitting is permitted only under very specific circumstances.

Arizona

You can only ride between lanes of traffic stopped at a light
The speed limit on the road has to be less than 45 miles per hour
You can’t ride faster than 15 miles per hour
You have to ride in the middle of the lanes, not on the shoulder or median
You have to be passing a car stopped in the same lane
The street has to have at least two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction

Montana

You can’t ride faster than 20 miles per hour while lane splitting
You have to stay within ten miles per hour of the cars around you
The lanes need to be wide enough for you to safely lane split
Traffic and road conditions must be safe enough to justify it

Utah

The speed limit has to be 45 miles per hour or less
The road must have at least two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction
You can’t ride faster than 15 miles per hour while lane splitting
You must be moving around traffic that’s stopped
You have to stay between marked lanes, not on a shoulder or bike lane

Hawaii

Only allows shoulder surfing
You can ride on the shoulder of the road to pass stopped vehicles
The road must have two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction

Lane Splitting and Its Connection to Motorcycle Accidents

The Risks of Lane Splitting

Lane splitting may be convenient for motorcyclists, but it can also be risky. Riding between lanes puts the motorcyclists much closer to other vehicles than they would be otherwise, giving them less space to maneuver and less time to react. Additionally, when a motorcyclist is riding between lanes, they are less visible to other drivers.

Statistics on Motorcycle Accidents Involving Lane Splitting

According to a study by the American Motorcyclist Association, it was reported that 59.2% of all comprehensive motorcycle accidents were caused by motorcyclists driving in moderate to severe traffic when lane splitting is more likely to occur.

Another study conducted by the University of California Berkeley found that lane-splitting helped motorcyclists avoid being stuck between multiple motor vehicles during traffic, which prevented minor and severe contact accidents. It also found that of the 997 traffic collisions, the majority were caused by motorcyclists exceeding the speed limit while lane-splitting.

Safety Precautions for Motorcyclists

Tips for Safe Lane Splitting

If you do decide to lane split in a state where it’s allowed, be sure to do it safely by following these tips:

Make sure you’re riding at a safe, low speed
Be aware of the blind spots of motor vehicles around you and avoid them
Always use your signals effectively

Protective Gear and Its Importance

To stay safe while lane splitting, it’s also essential to have the right equipment. Most importantly, it’s vital to wear a helmet while your motorcycle is in motion. Your helmet must meet the safety requirements created by the U.S. Department of Transportation and it is recommended to purchase helmets that are labeled USDOT-approved. Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69% and reduce the risk of death by 42%.

Other protective gear that’s recommended are:

Jackets
Gloves
Eye protection
Long pants
Ankle footwear with nonslip soles

Legal Recourse After a Motorcycle Accident Involving Lane Splitting

Determining Fault

Determining fault in a motorcycle accident involving lane splitting relies very heavily on the laws of the state about whether lane splitting is legal or not. Motorcyclists must follow the laws and guidelines of the state that they’re in. If they don’t, they may be found at fault. The determination of fault also involves the evaluation of the actions taken by both parties.

Steps to Take After an Accident

Seek Medical Attention

If you’ve been injured severely, call the emergency services immediately.

If you’ve suffered a less urgent injury, contact your doctor and schedule an appointment as soon as possible. That way, you can receive an official diagnosis and receive documentation of your injuries.

Document the Accident Scene

When safe, start documenting and gathering evidence of the scene. This includes getting contact information from all involved parties and witnesses, as well as photos or videos from the crash scene.

Report the Accident to Authorities

Always call the police after an accident. They will be able to ensure that all necessary emergency services have been employed and create an official report that’s essential to a legal case.

Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney

A personal injury attorney can review the details of your accident and build a case for you. They will understand all of the ins and outs of the process and use their expertise to help you receive maximum compensation.

Talk to the Experts at Naqvi Injury Law

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident involving lane splitting, contact our reliable team at Naqvi Injury Law right away. They will assist you in understanding the laws surrounding these types of accidents and offer expertise in proving the fault of the other party. You can trust that they will put you in the best position to recover maximum compensation.

Naqvi Injury Law houses the “top one percent” of attorneys recognized by The National Association of Distinguished Council. You can rest easy knowing that our knowledgeable attorneys are completely dedicated to providing you with the support you need to receive the results you deserve. Call or Schedule a Free Consultation today!