Lane splitting refers to a two-wheeled vehicle (motorcycle) moving between roadway lanes of vehicles that are proceeding in the same direction. More narrowly, it refers to overtaking slow or stopped vehicles by traveling between them. It is also sometimes called lane sharing, white lining, filtering, or stripe-riding.
Motorcycles have a great advantage over regular sized vehicles and can reduce the amount of highway traffic when practicing lane splitting, however in every state except California, lane splitting is illegal. Arizona has just introduced a new bill to allow lane splitting that went into effect Jan. 1st, 2011.
For years, California motorcyclists have enjoyed the benefits of a non-law. California is the only state in the nation that doesn't legally prevent lane splitting, or traveling between lanes of stopped and slower-moving traffic, but there haven't been hard and fast rules governing the practice. The primary purpose of California allowing the maneuver regards freeway traffic, and not forcing motorcycles to choke on fumes in heavy freeway congestion. Until now.
A motorcyclist rides between the lanes during the afternoon commute on southbound Highway 99 in Sacramento on Tuesday. In an effort to make motorcycling safer, state officials have published guidelines in the common, but sometimes dangerous, practice of lane-splitting.
The California Highway Patrol has, for the first time, published lane-splitting guidelines on its website "to dispel misinformation," said Todd Kovaletz, public information officer for the Santa Ana bureau of the California Highway Patrol. "There are no new laws, simply clarification for what is already out there."
The state agency has never taken a position on the controversial practice that motorcyclists perceive as convenient and other vehicles see as a hazard.
you ever witnessed lane-splitting? What do you think? Is it really a better way to reduce traffic or will it end up causing even more motorcycle accidents in Arizona in particular? Leave us your thoughts.