When did lane splitting become legal in California?

Asked by: Scott Hernandez

With safety in mind, the California Highway Patrol wrote educational safety guidelines for lane-splitting after the passage of Assembly Bill 51, which became law on Jan. 1, 2017 and formally defined legal lane-splitting in California.

When did it become legal to lane split in California?

This is lane splitting, and it is legal in California. In August 2016, California became the first state in America to pass a law that officially defined lane splitting (also called lane sharing) in its vehicle code. It was also the first state to remove the language in its law that made lane splitting illegal.

Why did California legalize lane splitting?

Motorcycle riders say they lane split for two big reasons: speed and safety. Lane splitting allows motorcycles to weave through traffic much more quickly than cars can, and bikers argue it also improves traffic for all commuters.

Does California allow lane splitting?

Lane splitting by motorcyclists is legal in California. 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 motorcyclist is illegal.

Can you lane split in San Francisco?

Lane-splitting is legal in California, and that means that all drivers have a duty to share the road with motorcycle riders who are trying to progress through traffic.

Can two motorcycles ride side by side in California?

Riding Laws: Lane Splitting and Lane Sharing
Lane sharing is when two motorcyclists ride side by side in the same lane of traffic. Lane splitting is legal in California as long as the traffic through which the motorcyclist is traveling is going significantly slower than the speed limit due to congestion or is stopped.

Can you lane split in Hawaii?

Lane splitting (the practice of driving between lanes), is a maneuver that some motorcyclists use to get through traffic more easily. This practice is also commonly referred to as filtering or white lining. Though many motorcyclists in Hawaii participate in lane splitting, it is not legal.

Is lane splitting legal in Las Vegas?

This dangerous action refers to using two lanes to drive a motorcycle, also known as “splitting” the original lanes of traffic. All drivers must drive within the lines defining their lanes in Nevada, making splitting lanes illegal throughout the state.

Are wheelies illegal in California?

The simple answer to the question is that intentionally lifting the front wheel of a moving motorcycle off the ground is illegal in all states.

How many accidents are caused by lane splitting?

During an accident caused by a lane splitting, the motorcyclist could end up with severe injuries. Thousands of motorcyclists are injured in crashes every year, and nearly 5,000 motorcyclists died in 2018 in accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Is lane splitting really safer?

“Lane-splitting riders were significantly less likely to be rear-ended than other non-lane-splitting riders.” Because a rear-end accident could seriously injure or kill a motorcyclist, lane splitting may be a safer practice for motorcyclists stuck in traffic.

Who is at fault for motorcycle splitting lanes?

Lane splitting accidents aren’t always caused by one individual motorcyclist or driver. Many times, several factors contribute to a crash. In California, more than one person can be at fault. Fault is simply split between everyone who shares some of the blame for the crash.