Riding a motorcycle can be a source of adventure and freedom that cannot be matched by driving a car. The open road, the wind through your hair, the horse-power between your legs, and the feeling that you can travel anywhere all draw motorcycle riders to the open roads and highways. Practical advantages of riding a motorcycle include better gas mileage, easier parking, and, of course, the ability to navigate through traffic jams with greater ease than a car.
One way motorcycle riders can get through traffic more easily is by lane-splitting. Lane-splitting is the way a motorcycle rider can drive between two lanes of traffic, on the lane lines, without being in one lane or the other. This means that there could be three motor vehicles within two lanes because of the motorcycle rider’s ability to be between two cars in the two different lanes.
A motorcycle that is driving between two lanes of traffic to get through and ahead of other traffic is lane-splitting. Driving between the two lanes can help the motorcycle rider to avoid traffic jams by riding through the traffic between those lanes to get ahead of the other drivers. Lane-splitters have an advantage over the other vehicles in traffic, but, it can be extremely dangerous.
“Lane-splitting is legal in California, and while it’s possibly one of the biggest advantages to having a motorcycle in traffic, it comes with some real risks.” Lane-splitting is dangerous for the motorcycle riders who are the lane-splitters as well as the vehicles that surround the lane-splitters.
It is important to exercise extreme caution when lane-splitting or driving near lane-splitters. Before switching lanes, check all blind spots and mirrors to be sure that there are no motorcycles between your lane and the lane you’re merging into. Taking such precautions is important for your safety and the safety of everyone around you.
If you or someone you know suffered a serious injury in a motorcycle crash, please contact Alexander Law Group, LLP immediately to discuss your rights. Call 888.777.1776 right now, for a free, confidential, and personal consultation with one of our attorneys or contact us online.
