Motorcyclists frequently share the road with other vehicles in California. Research indicates that 80% of California motorcycle drivers lane split on the freeway, with more than half admitting they do it “often” or “all the time.” Lane splitting is also called lane sharing or filtering. What can we learn from this situation? And what’s there to know? Here are the basics of lane splitting in California.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in California?
In fact, California is the only state where motorcycle lane-splitting is legal, almost without restrictions. Utah and Montana, on the other hand, have laws that allow this kind of driving only in minimal situations, and they call it “lane filtering.” California recognizes lane-splitting as a way to cut down on traffic, as the amount of traffic on the freeways there is higher than in most other states. If you’re driving a motorcycle and lane-splitting, your motorcycle isn’t taking up a space on the freeway because you’re driving between lanes or in the same lane as another vehicle. The number of automobiles on the freeway will be less if motorcycles can lane-split. This means there will be less traffic for all drivers. Even so, motorcyclists still have to obey speed limits and other rules of the road, and if they don’t lane split safely, they can be fined.
Is Lane Splitting Safe?
A 2015 study made by the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center at UC Berkeley found that 17% of the about 6,000 motorcyclists who had a motorcycle accident between June 2012 and August 2013 were lane-splitting at the time of their crash, which can be dangerous.To figure out how the risk of a collision changes when motorcyclists choose to lane-split, we would need to know about both the lane-splitting and non-lane-splitting riding that some groups of motorcyclists do. It’s very difficult to get these kinds of data, and the current study did not try to get them.
Lane Splitting and Risks
The decision to make lane splitting legal in California was quite a controversial one, especially since it’s still illegal in every other state.Many experts and politicians often debate about the risks of lane splitting. While it’s generally considered safe, lane splitting can result in accidents and mishaps if the rider and other drivers on the road are not careful enough.Accidents involving motorcycles can be quite horrific because the rider has little to no protection. Some of the most common injuries motorcyclists suffer due to accidents involve broken bones, brain damage, and internal bruising.Moreover, it can also damage other assets on the road. This is why some drivers are against the legalization of lane splitting.
Lane Splitting and Accidents
Lane splitting is generally safe but there can still be accidents that can result in physical injuries and damage to assets.Since lane splitting is not a very commonly discussed topic, very few riders and drivers in California understand lane splitting laws or their rights. The issue is that the law is not very clear when it comes to lane splitting and it can be a little difficult to prove liability in cases involving lane splitting.The state is yet to introduce a formal law that covers lane splitting. This leaves a large gray area.Since lane splitting is legal, the motorist isn’t considered a culprit just for practicing lane splitting. In other states, where lane splitting is illegal, the motorist is considered to be at-fault automatically. However, the motorist will be at fault if he or she was caught riding in an unsafe manner.For example, if the rider was going above the speed limit then the law would consider him or her the culprit. Similarly, if the driver or the other party was caught to be breaking the law then he or she would be considered the wrongdoer.Confusion occurs when nobody involved broke the law. In such cases, it can be very difficult to prove innocence. You may need to hire the services of an experienced attorney to prove your case.In most cases, safety guidelines and the general law are used to gauge whether the rider was lane splitting safely or not.
What Do Motorcyclists Say?
For speed and safety, bikers say they lane split to get around other cars faster. Motorcyclists say that lane splitting allows them to weave through traffic much faster than cars can, and they say that it also improves traffic for everyone else.People who run a motorcycle repair shop and community meeting place say that there’s less of a clog on the roads by taking cars out of that line. Also, lane splitting makes them feel more secure when they’re on the road. Drivers often use safety as a reason not to do it. Also, motorcyclists are especially worried about getting hit from behind when they’re stationary or moving.
And… What Do Drivers Say?
According to a 2014 research, 60 percent of drivers oppose lane splitting. More than half of those who indicated they didn’t like it claimed it was because they thought lane-splitting was dangerous. Other reasons include the fear of causing a collision, the fact that it startles cars, the fact that motorcyclists are driving too fast, and the fact that lane splitting is “unfair” or illegal. Motorcyclists have also been reported purposefully knocking out side mirrors as they lane split, according to drivers. Nowadays, driving between lines is still controversial.
Recommendations for Lane Splitting in California
- You should travel no more than 10 miles per hour faster than the rest of the traffic on the road (cars, trucks, buses, etc.)
- An alert and experienced driver can identify and respond to any harmful situations that may arise at a speed of 10 miles per hour or less.
- Traffic flow above 30 miles per hour should not be split.
- Splitting between the #1 and #2 lanes (located on the far left of the road) is generally considered safer than doing it in any other lane.
- Take into account the surrounding environment, including the width of the lanes, the size of the adjacent cars, and the conditions of the road, the water, and the illumination.
Lane Splitting in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions related to lane splitting in California:Why is lane splitting not legal in other states?Lane splitting isn’t legal in other states because there’s no consensus on the topic. A large number of drivers and politicians believe that lane splitting is unsafe and can result in more accidents. However, things appear to be changing as riders are asking for more states to reconsider their decision and to make lane splitting legal.
You will not get fined for lane splitting in California unless it results in a mishap. Lane splitting itself isn’t a crime in the state but being negligent is.Can I get fined for lane splitting in California?
You will not get fined for lane splitting in California unless it results in a mishap. Lane splitting itself isn’t a crime in the state but being negligent is. Can lane splitting result in accidents?While lane splitting is legal, you have to be careful because it can result in accidents if you turn to a lane that’s too thin or if the vehicles are big.It’s important to follow all the guidelines discussed above so that the risk is minimized.Who is considered responsible if lane splitting results in an accident in California?
Lane splitting cases can be complicated as a liability in these cases isn’t always clear-cut.What if I get a lane splitting ticket in California?You will not get a lane splitting ticket in California; however, you can get a ticket for negligent driving, speeding, etc., due to lane splitting.In such a scenario, you will have two options, to fight the ticket or pay the fine. Be careful about the option you choose as neglecting your ticket can end up costing more than you think.
Will I Need Legal Assistance?
You will need to hire some help if you decide to go to court and fight your case. Lane splitting cases can be complicated as each circumstance requires a thorough review to determine the party at fault and find ways to prove your innocence.