Is Lane Splitting Legal in California? Motorcycle Lane Splitting Law

Is Lane Splitting Legal in California? Motorcycle Lane Splitting Law
https://rtmlawfirm.com/is-lane-splitting-legal-in-california-lane-splitting-law/

Lane splitting, often referred to as “white-lining,” involves motorcycles moving between lanes on a roadway to bypass slower or stopped traffic. This maneuver can be particularly advantageous for riders, allowing them to reduce travel time and minimize the risk of overheating in congested traffic.

It is often confused with lane filtering, which involves motorcycles moving to the front of stopped traffic at a red light. Lane splitting is currently legal in California, making it the only state in the US to allow this practice.

Is it dangerous? Splitting lanes comes with its fair share of risks, as it may lead to close encounters with vehicles that aren’t expecting the sudden presence of a motorcycle. Thus, riders opting to split lanes must exhibit exceptional skill and caution, constantly staying alert to changing traffic conditions and potential hazards.

One of the primary reasons lane splitting remains a hot topic is the variation in regulations from state to state. In California, lane splitting is unique in that it’s the only state in the U.S. where it is explicitly recognized and permitted under certain conditions.

The California Vehicle Code, Section 21658.1 (California lane splitting law), defines lane splitting as follows: The driver of a motorcycle shall not pass another vehicle in the same lane occupied by the other vehicle, except under the following conditions:

- The other vehicle is stopped or moving at a speed of 30 miles per hour or less.
- The driver of the motorcycle is traveling at a speed of not more than 30 miles per hour.
- the driver of a motorcycle shall not pass another vehicle in the same lane occupied by the other vehicle if that action would not be safe and prudent.

So is lane splitting legal in California? The answer is yes — but there are conditions. This legal recognition allows motorcyclists in California to lane split legally under the specified conditions, provided they do so safely and prudently. It’s important to note that exceeding the 30 mph speed limit for both the motorcyclist and the traffic being passed is illegal.

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