This practice is illegal in Texas and can land motorcyclists in trouble. This didn't explain why it should be illegal. California Vehicle Code Section 21658. Lane-splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of cars that are driving in the same direction–this maneuver is illegal in Colorado. Is Lane-Splitting Legal in Missouri? Missouri state law does not expressly prohibit lane-splitting. However, as of 2021, no bills have been passed that would legalize lane splitting in Florida. The law would have allowed motorcycles to pass between cars or pass on the right in traffic moving at less than 5 mph under the following conditions:Currently, the only state that explicitly allows lane splitting is California. 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. ” Is Lane Splitting Legal in Georgia? Unlike passenger vehicles, motorcycles do not take up a whole traffic lane. They are: Revised Statutes of Missouri, Missouri law . The high levels of traffic often results in motorcyclists “lane splitting” to avoid traffic, leaving many wondering if it’s legal. — 1. This guide will help you break down the. Lane splitting is generally frowned upon in Missouri, and motorcyclists, more often than not,areblamed for an accident if they were practicing it at the time. Only California has a statue specifically allowing lane splitting. In Missouri, lane splitting is not illegal, but it is not completely legal. Technically, lane splitting is the term for riders who are moving while the traffic around them is also moving. Lane splitting refers to a motorcycle rider riding between lanes of stopped or slower-moving vehicles, typically in congested traffic. The laws in Missouri, however, are a bit more complicated. The topic of lane splitting is a controversial one. 010, RSMo, shall leave a safe distance, when passing the bicycle, and shall maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle. In these states, the decision to charge a motorcycle rider who is caught lane splitting lies in the hands of the police officer who witnessed it. According to CDOT regulations, “passing or overtaking a vehicle in the same lane is prohibited by law in Colorado. 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. To be clear, this bill does not, in and of itself, seek to make lane splitting. S. Missouri. ”. Currently, 19 states in the US allow lane splitting. S. No bills have been proposed in the state to make lane splitting legal, however an online petition to make it legal in New Jersey received over 700 signatures. Lane splitting is also not explicitly prohibited in Missouri. Lane-splitting is dangerous because: The. There are 12 other states in which the practice is questionable, such as Texas, Montana, Missouri, Arkansas, and North Carolina. A. The state forbids lane splitting in Part 1, Title XIV, Chapter 89, Section 4A of its General Laws, saying that vehicle operators must ride entirely in a single lane on any road with two or more lanes. that has two wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving. Lane splitting is illegal. Reply. Utah has its own rules on the matter. There is currently no legislation in Florida addressing this topic, but it will likely be discussed in the future. Several petitions have circulated online seeking support for lane splitting, but. Now the California Highway Patrol has issued safety guidelines on the topic — guidelines that apply not. Lane sharing of any kind is expressly prohibited in 34 states, including New York and Florida. It is not against the law, but it is a risky habit that can cause accidents. Currently, lane splitting is not expressly prohibited in Missouri, but certain cities or counties may ban lane splitting, so you should check the specific laws and ordinances in those areas. Under the terms of this amendment, both lane splitting and lane filtering have now explicitly been made illegal for motorcycles riding within the state of Texas. However lane-splitting riders who were involved in collisions were also more than twice as likely to rear-end another vehicle (38. The 4-year-old law lets motorcycles move between stopped. In Texas, lane splitting is not specifically mentioned in the law, but is generally considered to be legal. Finally, most states still have laws on the books making lane splitting illegal. It’s important to understand that lane splitting is dangerous to riders and other road users. His offices are located at 235 Montgomery St. However, motorcycle drivers must follow lane-splitting etiquette. It was sort of like drumming on. A summary of current state laws specific to lane splitting and lane filtering. According to the state’s traffic laws, specifically Wisconsin Statute 346. That doesn’t mean it’s “legal,” per se, but it is not mentioned in statutes or explicitly outlawed. Lane Splitting. Lane splitting allows motorcycles to occupy space on the highway that isn. This can be done either while the traffic in the adjacent lanes is stopped or moving slowly. The study further concluded that lane splitting is not safe when traffic is traveling above 30 miles per hour. Most state laws have similar loopholes regarding the practice: it is not authorized, but is not mentioned within the law. The difference between lane filtering and lane splitting. Q: Why Is Lane Splitting Illegal? A: Opponents of lane splitting claim that the practice increases the risk of accidents and encourages risky maneuvers on the road. An attorney can provide guidance and help you navigate the legal system. 3 lanes funneling down to 1. However, lane filtering and lane splitting are illegal in Georgia. 505, motorcycles are not allowed to overtake other vehicles within the same lane. Discover the comprehensive state-by-state guide to motorcycle laws, covering helmets, lane splitting, licensing, and more. You should keep up-to-date with your state’s regulations, or any other states that you might plan to driv. Brown, Jr. states. Lane-splitting is legal in Missouri but is not always the safest option. California. Although lane-splitting isn’t illegal here in Missouri, it’s a practice motorcyclists should avoid… for both safety reasons and for legal reasons. Lane splitting laws exist because the majority of dangerous accidents happen at a stop light and motorcyclists are far safer if they can get ahead of traffic. Motorcyclists are allowed to travel 15 mph or less on roadways with two adjacent lanes to split travel lanes when traffic is stopped. However, the practice of lane-splitting is well-known to. by E. However, one motorcyclist can share a lane with another motorcyclist side by side. California recommends only splitting lanes when traffic is slow, and you keep your speed within 10 mph of surrounding traffic. The activity, however, is still viewed as a dangerous driving pattern, and motorcyclists should do their best to avoid it. Nonetheless, lane splitting may be dangerous. 215. Hawaii. Lane splitting is legal in some areas of the United States, while it is illegal in others. For example, in Australia Lane Filtering is Legal but Lane Splitting is not. While it’s only explicitly legal in. It is not expressly illegal in Missouri, but it is viewed as a dangerous practice that should be avoided. Motorcycle lane splitting is broadly legal in California, and legal in Utah, Arizona and Montana under specific circumstances. However lane-splitting riders who were involved in collisions were also more than twice as likely to rear-end another vehicle (38. Lane splitting is not explicitly prohibited by state law. In the absence of a specific law, the practice of lane splitting is governed by the general rules of the road and the principles of safe driving. Lane splitting may be illegal in Illinois, but motorcyclists have certain rights on the road that protect them from blame if a collision occurs. In states where lane splitting is illegal, motorcyclists may be subject to fines or other punishments for breaking the law. Gjelten September 4, 2023, 3:58 pmSome confusion surrounding lane-splitting still exists in Texas. Gjelten September 4, 2023, 3:41 pmA new bill would establish a feasibility study as a potential first step in reconsidering state law. As we mentioned, lane splitting is not legal in the state of Florida. There are nine other states in which lane splitting is not explicitly illegal: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia. app!Many riders swear by lane splitting in congested stop-and-go traffic, where sitting in the middle of a lane leaves them open to being rear-ended by distracted drivers. Posted on: May 5, 2023. The Arguments For Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering. Every state has different laws about lane splitting, or weaving your bike between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic. Motorcycle lane splitting has been around since the beginning of the motor age. The Legal Status of Lane Splitting. C. 7 percent). Guidelines for motorcyclists: Travel at a speed that is no more than 10 MPH faster than other traffic – danger increases at higher speed differentials. Lane splitting is not specifically legal or illegal in Missouri. 2. Splitting lanes reduces the amount of space both the motorcyclist and the motorist have in their lane for reacting to maneuvers made by other. If HB 1419 becomes a law, the penalty will be PHP 1,500 for the first offense, PHP 3,000 for the second offense, and PHP 5,000 for. Is Lane Splitting Legal in Missouri the specifics, examining the current laws and regulations, potential benefits, and safety concernsThere are no explicit laws in Missouri that forbid lane splitting, but that does not mean that the act is safe. So to some degree lane splitting is legal in Montana but with stipulations. Louis,. In 2016, it became the first state to legalize it. What states don’t have laws making lane splitting legal or illegal? Montana allows lane splitting, but only if traffic is traveling above 20 mph. You're just being a nuisance if you're going more than ~20mph over the rate of traffic and going to get yourself killed. In Florida, lane splitting continues to be illegal. The offense of unlawful passing on a motorcycle or moped is currently a class B violation that can carry a maximum $1,000 penalty. Lane splitting is against the law in all the U. " Lane splitting is a great way to avoid traffic jams and get where you're going faster. There are stringent lane splitting laws in the United States, but Missouri is one of the few states that does not expressly prohibit it. 505, motorcycles are not allowed to overtake other vehicles within the same lane. To be clear, this bill does not, in and of itself, seek to make lane splitting legal. Section 21658 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction, the following rules apply: (a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical. Many people believe that lane splitting is dangerous and should be illegal, but there is no evidence that proves this to be true. Delaware. Is Lane Splitting Legal in Missouri the specifics, examining the current laws and regulations, potential benefits, and safety concernsThere are stringent lane splitting laws in the United States, but Missouri is one of the few states that does not expressly prohibit it. The 4-year-old law lets motorcycles move between stopped. , Ste 668, San Francisco, CA 94104 and at 3140 Chapman St. Lane splitting can be very dangerous but, everyone on the road has to be equally responsible. Gjelten September 4, 2023, 3:52 pm E. Lane-splitting, sometimes called “white-lining,” refers to the practice of a motorcyclist riding on the road lines between lanes, including lanes of traffic moving in the same direction or in between opposing directions of traffic. California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. Differences Between Lane Filtering and Lane Splitting. However, only 53 percent of drivers know that lane-splitting is legal. ”. However, there are four more states- Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, and Utah where lane filtering is allowed with certain restrictions. In Massachusetts, motorcyclists may not use the same. A new bill would amend Missouri state law to permit lane filtering, but not lane splitting, for motorcyclists. In California, for example, lane splitting is allowed when traffic is moving at a speed of less than 50 miles per hour and the motorcycle is traveling no more than 10 miles per hour faster than the cars it is passing. Utah followed suit in 2019. Light turns green and 5-10 cars don’t make it through. Is Lane Splitting Legal in Missouri? Although lane splitting is not specifically prohibited by Missouri law, it is also not authorized as a safe maneuver. Nevertheless, the fact that it is not illegal under Missouri state law to lane-split on a motorcycle has caused some riders to ask whether they can still recover money from a motorcycle accident in Missouri if the accident occurred while. But, even though it might not be a smart move, is lane-splitting legal in Louisiana? Let's look at the statute. On a positive note, I have been seeing more articles like this one in U. Some cops may issue you a ticket for a moving violation. Missouri state laws do not expressly forbid lane splitting, but it is still deemed an unsafe driving practice and should be avoided. This practice is often conflated with lane sharing, which describes two vehicles riding side-by-side in the same lane of traffic. New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, North Carolina, and DelawareIf 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. In Mississippi, the law does not specifically state that lane splitting is legal or illegal. Still, Hawaii, Montana, Arizona, and Utah have modified versions of the law that allow motorcyclists to drive between lanes when traffic is stopped. Missouri is one of the states that allows lane splitting under specific circumstances, as of February 2023. These states are Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oregon, and Texas. SECTION 209. Researchers have found that lane splitting can be dangerous, as drivers often do not anticipate motorcyclists sharing their lanes. Lane-splitting is illegal in Florida and most states except California. Some riders believe lane-splitting is safe due to the small size of their bikes, but in reality, many crashes occur each. Gjelten September 4, 2023, 3:51 pm E. Photo by Kevin Wing. The rider may travel no more than 20 mph – it’s not. Lane splitting is legal in some states, while it is illegal in others. 309-550-7543; Home; Quotes; Why Us? Blog; Contact; About. Lane Splitting Rules of the Road. Short answer: Is Lane Splitting Legal in Michigan? No, lane splitting or filtering is currently not legal in the state of Michigan. 51 (AB51), recognized lane splitting as a legal act and gave the California Highway Patrol the power to develop lane splitting guidelines and safety tips for motorcyclists, which they subsequently did. As of now, only a few states have specific laws addressing the legality of lane splitting: California. While this law falls under the purview of each state, only California has currently made it legal. All vehicles not in motion shall be placed with their right side as near the right-hand side of the highway as practicable, except on streets of municipalities where vehicles are obliged to move in one direction only or parking of. ”. It is illegal throughout most of the United States. Lane filtering is where a motorcycle rider moves past stopped or slow-moving vehicles at 30km/h or less. Oklahoma. Hawaii allows riding on the road shoulder at up to 10 mph. Filtering is legal in certain circumstances. Lane splitting is not explicitly prohibited by state law. Legislation is being considered by several U. Lane Splitting Laws in Texas. Proponents said the bill was a compromise from past attempts to legalize lane splitting in Oregon and drew a distinction between the proposal and the law in California, where riders can travel in. Learn more about the legal status, risks and accidents of lane splitting in Missouri and other states. The 2016 rule allows motorcycles to travel between lanes at speeds up to 10 mph, provided that traffic is moving at 30 mph or less. As of 2022, some states have legalized lane splitting. No, lane-splitting is not legal in Las Vegas or anywhere else in the state. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, state law does not explicitly address lane splitting but prohibits lane sharing. In some states, it is legal to lane split, while in other states it is considered illegal. Lane-sharing or lane-splitting rules vary by state. It involves passing between stopped or slowed lanes of traffic. Lane splitting is currently illegal in the following states: Alaska. Even the California Highway Patrol says so. The answer, with a burst of complexity, is both yes and no. There are no explicit laws in Missouri that forbid lane splitting, but that does not mean that the act is safe. Weinberg said law enforcement agencies, which have warned about lane splitting in the past, are neutral on the bill. Advocates point out that lane splitting reduces congestion, allowing motorcycles to move forward through traffic and take up less space on the road, thus reducing congestion. . Lane splitting is not considered legal in Mississippi, but Section 63-4-603 of the Mississippi Code does not explicitly prohibit it. Lane splitting is the act of riding a motorcycle or scooter between lanes of traffic on a highway. Lane Splitting Laws. Read on to learn more about lane splitting. 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. Thus, it is worth brushing up on lane splitting laws, practices, and the legal and safety ramifications of lane splitting in Missouri. Lane-sharing. While lane splitting can help alleviate traffic congestion and make the. However, a handful of these states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Oregon, to name a few) are considering or have. The following states have no specific law addressing the issue: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. 015. Here’s the actual provision of the California Vehicle Code (CVC): 21658. In Louisiana, splitting lanes is illegal. As such, many motorcyclists think. G. Currently, California is the only state that has permitted drivers to lane split and has legalized it. It is often done on a highway or freeway, where there are multiple lanes going in the same direction. ”. A proposed Missouri lane splitting law, House. 4. In states where it is legal, the rules vary. Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case. Previously, Texas had no laws addressing lane splitting at all. (Senate Bill 1273) Arkansas. Missouri. A. Most major cities in PA are trying to improve pedestrian and bicycle travel rather than motorcycle. Revised Statutes of Missouri, Missouri law . All other states have laws in place to specifically prohibit lane-splitting for motorcycle. Many Missouri law experts state that lane splitting is either legal or illegal depending on who’s watching. As defined by California Vehicle Code Section 21658. How a Motorcyclist Can Avoid Injury on the Road. S. According to Missouri Section 304. Lichtenstein. However, Kansas does allow two motorcycles to ride side by side in one single lane of traffic, which is called lane sharing. Legal: Lane splitting should be done at no more than ten mph above the speed of. Bumper to bumper stopped traffic due to road construction. While the practice isn’t illegal in Missouri, it’s still frowned upon by legal authorities and representatives. Missouri. Most state laws have similar loopholes regarding the practice: it is not authorized, but is not mentioned within the law. Thus, it is worth brushing up on. Ohio. However, courts and insurance adjusters alike know lane splitting is very unsafe and can result in severe personal injury , and these facts can harm your future claim. These include: Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Ohio. Are there any requirements for carrying passengers in Missouri? Yes, a passenger is required to have their own seat as well as footrests. As of 2021, California still remains the only state to permit lane splitting, providing that the maneuver is executed in a safe and prudent manner. What CC is street legal in Missouri? Under Missouri law, any two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle with an automatic transmission, with a cylinder capacity less than 50 cubic centimeters, and that has a maximum speed of 30 miles per. Currently, the only state that explicitly permits lane splitting is California. 3. Oakland, CA 94601. Motorcycle Lane Splitting States. S. Texas prohibits lane splitting, but other states do not officially prohibit it. For the other 49 states, the act of lane splitting is either fully illegal, or no clear legislation on the matter currently exists. It's legal only in California. 1 states: 191. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, state law does not explicitly address lane splitting but prohibits lane sharing. I rode on the shoulder and got pulled. For the time being, lane splitting is illegal in the state of Florida. While many motorcyclists still take advantage of this practice due to its convenience, lane-splitting can be extremely. Lane splitting is, in fact, illegal in Colorado. Lane filtering is between rows of stopped or slow-moving vehicles, while lane splitting is between rows of fast-moving vehicles. ”Lane splitting is the practice of maneuvering a motorcycle between marked lanes of slower-moving vehicles. Lane splitting Missouri, or the practice of riding a motorcycle on a traffic line or in between lanes of vehicle traffic, is not expressly prohibited by Missouri law. Since lane splitting is illegal in the state of Wisconsin, a motorcyclist who violates the laws in this manner may be held liable for any injuries or damages that result from an accident. 3 million registered drivers and 5. A. ”. As the law surrounding lane splitting laws in the UK is subject to constant change, we make sure to update our content on a regular basis in regard to such changes. The state has a bill in the legislature to legalize. However, that does not mean it’s legal. Motorcycles can, however, share a lane known as “co-riding. In 2016, the Colorado legislature attempted to pass HB 16-1205, which would have legalized lane splitting in limited situations. This can be two motorcycles or a motorcycle and a car. As a motorcyclist, you are not permitted to travel more than 10 miles per hour faster than the surrounding traffic. Lane splitting is legal in a number of states across the US. Lane-splitting-states. Lane splitting is a controversial. Lane splitting in Utah. Most of the time, the motorcyclist will lane split between two or more lanes to avoid any heavy traffic. Lane splitting is illegal in Nevada under NRS 486. S. Although lane-splitting generally isn’t illegal in Missouri, it’s very dangerous and should be avoided. Therefore, motorcyclists and automobiles are advised to use separate lanes as much as possible. Co-riding is limited to one other vehicle, so a. B. However, if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, our Law Tigers team can help. A new bill would amend Missouri state law to permit lane filtering, but not lane splitting, for motorcyclists. This has been an uphill battle for many reasons, and currently, there’s no push for lane splitting to be made legal in Pennsylvania. As of 2022, some states have legalized lane splitting. Lane filtering is where a motorcycle rider moves past stopped or slow-moving vehicles at 30km/h or less. In all other states, it is currently illegal. At the time of writing, lane splitting is currently illegal in Colorado, just as it is in most other U. Motorcycle Insurance Requirements. Missouri law does not mention or specifically prohibit lane splitting. States without laws regarding lane splitting or filtering include: Washington DC also does not have laws pertaining to lane splitting. Conversely, some states do not consider lane splitting a. In April, 2022, Arizona became the third state to allow lane filtering and this law went into effect in September, 2022. 5 million registered vehicles. In December 2016, State Senator Kirk Watson (D) introduced Senate Bill 288, which would have allowed lane-splitting in Texas, so long as the rider was travelling in traffic moving slower than 20 mph and was going no more than 5 mph faster than other road users. Even though motorcyclists can travel side by side, most riders stick to a single lane. Operating a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. 7 percent). Keep in mind that lane-splitting is not synonymous with lane sharing. 51. These states are considering lane filtering or lane splitting regulation changes. Remember, Florida Statute 316. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that Missouri follows comparative fault laws. 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. For instance, it’s legal in California but illegal in some other states. Is Lane Splitting Legal in Michigan? [LATEST Update] 2023. In these states, lane splitting is. According to the statute, it is illegal to “operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. What it did show, is that you're a salty driver that hate people that pass you up. 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. Florida Statute 316. Lane splitting is legal in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Texas, and Utah. Until then, moving violations are a possibility for those caught lane splitting. The intention of legal lane splitting is within slow-moving or stopped traffic. Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic;Lane-splitting is the practice of a motorcyclist riding between two lanes or rows of slowly moving or stopped traffic. Violation of this law may result in fines and penalties assessed by law enforcement. § 40-6-312, lane splitting is illegal in Georgia. If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident involving the lane splitting law, it is important to seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney. e. So, there’s not a state law that says no lane splitting or no riding the zipper. Nevertheless, the fact that it is not illegal under Missouri state law to lane-split on a motorcycle has caused some riders to ask whether they can still recover money from a motorcycle accident in Missouri if the accident occurred while. According to the state government, lane splitting for motorcycles reduces traffic jams and improves roadway safety. Since lane filtering is now legal in Arizona, you can use this practice to stay safer on the road. 304. To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys to discuss your case, call us at 212-681-2535. Lane splitting laws vary greatly from state to state. In some states it isn't a crime to lane split with your motorcycle, and in others, it's not legal or illegal. The Wilbers Law Firm LLC. States Where Lane Splitting is Legal. A large part this is due to a decrease in. State lawmakers, twice. North Carolina. Many Californians find it convenient as motorcyclists and moped drivers can go around the. Search for: Search Is Lane Splitting Legal in Idaho? [ANSWERED 2023] by E. Utah followed suit in 2019. If you see a driver sharing a lane to your right, go back. Wyoming also allows you to overtake another bike in the. Lane splitting can be very dangerous but, everyone on the road has to be equally responsible. 209 Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic. Montana. “Let’s trust the state patrol, as well as CDOT to do a study on this and. Lane splitting is notillegal in Missouri law, but it is also notcompletely legal. Our personal injury attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve for your injuries. There are reasons for every law. (Senate Bill 1273) Arkansas. Even more troubling. Unfortunately, the bill failed to make it from the committee to the floor of the. Missouri. No, lane splitting is not legal in South Carolina. Petty Traffic Violation Penalties. Image Credit: motorcycle. In 2016 Bill 5623 was heard by the Washington Senate Transportation Committee. Pros of Lane Splitting. state that has legalized lane-splitting is California. According to the American Motorcyclist Association's website, every state except California bans the practice of lane splitting. Lane splitting is a privilege enjoyed by Cali-fornia motorcyclists. 309-550-7543; Home; Quote; Wherefore Us? Blog; Contact; Nearly. Berkeley’s Safe Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC), lane-splitting California riders were 1. states. Experts in this state do recommend that motorcyclists only go ten miles per hour above the speed of the surrounding traffic and that they avoid lane splitting over speeds of 30 miles per hour. Some riders believe lane-splitting is safe due to the small size of their bikes, but in reality, many crashes occur each. May 21, 2022. — 1. With this freedom comes a greater responsibility for motorcy-clists and drivers to share the road and create a safer highway environment. No, Lane splitting is currently illegal in Wisconsin, so doing so here would be akin to breaking the law. California was the first state to make it legal for motorcycles to lane split back in 2016. The Wilbers Law Firm LLC. Before joining LegalMatch, Ty worked as a law clerk and freelance writer. Lane splitting is generally frowned upon in Missouri, and motorcyclists, more often than not, are blamed for an accident if they were practicing it at the time. However, courts and insurance adjusters alike know lane splitting is very unsafe and can result in severe personal injury , and these facts can harm your future claim. Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Oregon, and Texas are some of the states. From the distribution presented above, it appears that California is the only state where lane-splitting is declaredly legal. And while you are here, go register for your FREE Law. It’s hard to believe that lane splitting in Texas is illegal when motorcycle riders always do it. According to the state’s traffic laws, specifically Wisconsin Statute 346. 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 passing another vehicle that is stopped in the same direction of travel in the same lane. For many years, California was the only state where lane splitting was explicitly legal. Jerry Brown in 2016.