It is all the rage: lane splitting. There is a mixed review of the lane splitting law that was passed in 2016. Between motorcyclists and other vehicles, the concept of lane splitting has its pros and cons. However, according to California law, the time for arguing for or against the new legislation is over. Lane splitting is when a two-wheeled vehicle can drive down or stop in the middle of two lanes. This means motorcycles and sport bikes can ride down the dotted white lines between lanes in the middle of traffic or at stoplights. Our motorcycle accident attorney in Los Angeles at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg is fully aware of the new law and looks forward to helping our clients more so than ever.
With change comes the backlash. People who ride motorcycles or sports bikes already receive backlash on the roads from drivers who feel inconvenienced by the mere presence of a person on a motorbike. Some drivers don’t respect people who choose to ride other vehicles than a traditional car, truck, or SUV. Couple those grumpy attitudes with the new law allowing motorcycles to ride middle lanes, and you have a perfect storm. So, if you are planning on riding your motorcycle or sports bike down the highway, there are a few things you should know:
- Yes, lane splitting is legal. Even though the law was passed a few years ago, people are still unsure of the legality of lane splitting. It is permitted, but you must use the new accessibility with caution. Just because you know it is legal doesn’t mean that cars are looking for you as they change lanes.
- Wear your helmet. It is law in California that motorcyclists ride with a DOT-compliant helmet. It can save your life especially if a car engages in an improper lane change and you are ejected from your bike.
- Lane splitting can lead to road rage. Some drivers don’t think lane splitting is legal or they don’t care for it. If they see you lane splitting a driver may feel the need to engage negatively resulting in you getting hurt.
- There’s no real data yet about the safety impact of lane splitting. Even though many places outside the United States approve lane splitting, there is no real data to prove how well it will work here.
- It helps traffic. The data we do have shows that lane splitting helps to alleviate road traffic by 40%. This should be a good sign for all drivers.
What To Do
If you or someone you love is suffering from an injury caused by a motorcycle accident, our personal injury accident attorneys are here to help you feel protected and represented. Many insurance companies are quick to place the blame on motorcyclists because they are riskier vehicles, but we know better. Call 310-997-0904 or click here to share your story with our professional staff at the Law Offices of Howard Kornberg today.
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