The determining factor in these examples is whether the motorcyclist safely split lanes or not. This made it officially legal for motorcyclists to lane split. It also explicitly authorized the CHP to provide educational guidelines on lane splitting. As motorcyclists embrace the new law, the topic has sparked concern amongst motorists.
Even though splitting lanes is legal in California, motorcycle riders are still encouraged to use extreme caution when driving in between lanes. The CHP originally published guidelines in , before the law became official:. In , the CHP provided additional safety tips in a press release. These added more details to the previous guidelines. These new tips included:. Following these tips can help motorcyclists exercise caution and increase their visibility while lane splitting. For other vehicle drivers, it can help to simply be aware that there may be riders splitting lanes and to check blind spots frequently in traffic.
The California Office of Traffic Safety conducted a study on splitting lanes. The report recorded the number of these types of accidents from June to August After analyzing the crash data, researchers determined that splitting lanes can be safe when certain guidelines are met:.
This proximity reduces the time riders have to identify and react to changes in the behaviors of other motorists. Many motorists choose to ride motorcycles for their small size and agility.
It was also the first state to remove the language in its law that made lane splitting illegal. California decided to remove the language from its traffic laws prohibiting a motorcyclist from riding on the line between lanes due mainly to a study from UC Berkeley.
Although technically California did not legalize lane splitting, it removed the law barring this practice, becoming neutral on the subject. The change officially made lane splitting neither legal nor illegal in California. The Berkeley study looked at nearly 1, lane-splitting accidents and concluded that lane splitting is reasonably safe when done at no more than 15 miles per hour over the speeds of surrounding vehicles.
California passed the law permitting motorcyclists to lane split the year after the study was published. Although the UC Berkeley study is the most comprehensive lane-splitting study available, and it concluded that lane splitting is relatively safe when done prudently, lawmakers in other states have consistently voted down laws allowing this practice.
Voices against motorcycle lane splitting say it can increase the risk of sideswipe, merge and lane-change collisions.
Those for lane splitting say it can reduce traffic congestion and prevent deadly rear-end motorcycle accidents. If you decide to split lanes as a motorcyclist in California, do so as safely as possible. Although the California Department of Motor Vehicles DMV took down its initial lane-splitting guidelines due to a lack of official rules from authorities, the guidelines can still help a motorcyclist lane split safely.
California motorcyclists must be aware that when they leave their state, lane splitting may either be grudgingly tolerated or outright illegal. Always follow the laws for the state in which you are riding and know your road. Call for a Free Consultation If you are looking for more information, please select the county you live in.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. California Assembly Bill 51 AB 51 states in relevant part : b The California Department of Highway Patrol may develop educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that would ensure the safety of the motorcyclist and the drivers and passengers of the surrounding vehicles.
Below are a few main points from those previous guidelines: Guidelines for motorcyclists: Travel at a speed that is no more than 10 MPH faster than other traffic — danger increases at higher speed differentials.
It is not advisable to lane split when traffic flow is at 30 mph or faster — danger increases as overall speed increases. Avoid splitting in lanes near freeway on-ramps and exits.
Guidelines for motorists: Motorists should not take it upon themselves to discourage motorcyclists from lane splitting. Intentionally blocking or impeding a motorcyclist in a way that could cause harm to the rider is illegal. Opening a vehicle door to impede a motorcycle is illegal.
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