What Is Lane Splitting?
What is lane splitting (and how is it different from lane filtering)?
Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides in the lane between slowly moving or stopped vehicles (think rush hour or I-10 at 5:00 PM on a Friday), allowing the motorcyclist to pass that line of cars that have no other way out but to wait out that traffic.
Lane filtering is the term used for riding in between stopped, or slow-moving, vehicles, but off to the side, such as at a traffic light. A Lane Splitting law does not permit "lane splitting" as seen in movies (e.g. , riding down the middle of two cars traveling at the same speed). Lane filtering is only legal if that motorcycle is moving slowly, and traveling at a speed no faster than 15 mph.
In addition to being safer, lane splitting makes traffic flow more efficient. Motorcycles take up less space than cars do. The deficit in care is further minimized by motorcycle riders wearing protective gear, such as a helmet. Motorcycle riders argue that this makes the use of lane splitting safer than any other solution that could be used to avoid traffic delays.
Arizona Lane Splitting Statutes
Lane splitting is a maneuver practiced by experienced motorcyclists worldwide, but its legality varies by country and even by state. As of this writing, lane splitting is not permitted in Arizona. The law states, "The operator of a motorcycle shall not drive between traffic lanes, between vehicles, between motor vehicles and bicycles or between bicycles."
What’s more, while most states where lane splitting is permitted require specific conditions to be met before a motorcyclist can proceed, such as driving within a certain speed limit, the law in Arizona has no such provisions. In practice, most policemen and judges have been lenient on biker-bikergang incidents where lane splitting was involved, as long as the biker could demonstrate that a motorcycle is less likely to cause damage to the paved surface of a highway than a car.
The legality of lane splitting in Arizona may be changing soon. According to Azcentral.com, in January 2017, a group called the Arizona Motorcycle Safety and Law Enforcement Commission proposed a recommendation to the Arizona House of Representatives. If passed, this law would permit motorcyclists to split lanes at certain speeds and under other conditions.
The proposal, drafted by a 13-member panel of law enforcement and motorcycle safety experts appointed by Governor Doug Ducey, included exceptions for when lane splitting would be allowed. Those exemptions include at speeds not exceeding 20 mph, and only if a roadway has two or more lanes of traffic in the same direction. In other words, lane splitting in a one-lane highway in either direction would still be against the law. There would also be no lane splitting if traffic was going 15 or higher miles per hour faster than the motorcycles.
Further, the already-mentioned section of the proposal stated that enforcement of the law must involve careful consideration of the safety of both the biker and other motorists, especially those in larger vehicles.
In summary, although there is a possibility that lane splitting will become legal in Arizona, it is not yet legal as of this writing and motorcyclists caught splitting lanes will still be in violation of the law.
How Lane Splitting Laws Compare in Other States
In contrast to Arizona’s strict prohibition of lane splitting, California does allow motorcycles to be driven between lanes of heavy motor vehicle traffic. In fact, this practice has been legal in the state since 2016, making it relatively new despite its ubiquity. In addition, lane splitting is not illegal in Colorado but has not been given the express freedom of use that California enjoys.
Regulations governing lane splitting also differ at the local level. For example, Nebraska allows for lane splitting, but only in Lincoln, and then only when traffic is at a full stop.
Arizona’s neighbors have mixed laws regarding lane splitting. Immediately to the north, Utah explicitly prohibits lane splitting but has not defined "lane splitting." Nevada has no law on the regulation of lane splitting. In fact, Nevada is considering legislation that would clarify and possibly regulate lane splitting.
As such, knowing lane splitting laws in any state you might travel to is important. Motorcycle riders from Arizona who have traveled to California have likely used this practice. As long as the rider has a motorcycle endorsement, they are legally allowed to do so.
Safety and Advisory
Lane splitting presents unique challenges in terms of rider and driver safety. "If you pull off the lane splitting idea, you’ve got to allow for four or five feet of area to get two cars through without clipping each other or hitting a motorcyclist," Allen said. He also believes that lane splitting should not be allowed in congested, high-speed traffic areas such as Naples, Florida. Allen emphasized that motorcyclists need to be cautious when splitting lanes: "Be conservative. A motorcyclist can’t be aggressive and split a lane with a big truck or a vehicle that has the same size tires and the same ability to corner like a motorcycle." He said lane splitting should only be done in slow-moving traffic, when the motorcyclist is driving at less than 20 miles per hour. Knowing when to and when not to split lanes is critical, both for the motorcyclist and for the motorists. "Lane splitting is appropriate when the speeds are under 40 miles per hour but not below 10 miles per hour," Allen said. In his view, motorcycles should not be splitting lanes in traffic when they are moving at a very slow rate . Allen recommends a speed differential of 10 to 20 miles per hour between the motorcyclist and the other vehicles. Allina thinks that lane splitting should still be prohibited in parts of Arizona where accidents could occur because the traffic conditions are conducive to additional risk to the motorcyclist. "If a state adopts such a law, we would like it to be simple and easy to understand for enforcement," Allina said. "Our No. 1 priority is the safety of our riders, so we’re hoping that legislators look at how lane splitting is enforced in other states and what truly helps keep motorcyclists safer on the road. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a terrific resource for consumer and industry segments and encourages motorcycling as a viable social and economic activity. They have many terrific programs and resources available to our members. In addition, the organization states that motorcyclists need to take responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of their passengers and to be aware of the potential dangers.
Public Reception and Advocacy Efforts
Public opinion on lane splitting in Arizona is as divided as the rest of the country, with motorcyclists, motorcycle organizations, and liberty-minded citizens on one side, and traditional motorists and public safety advocates on the other. Prominent organizations such as the National Motorists Association and FreedomWorks (an advocacy group for libertarian positions) have come out in favor of legalizing lane splitting, arguing that it will reduce traffic congestion and be safer for motorcyclists. Leadership from the Goldwater Institute, a conservative think tank, also supports the legalization of lane splitting in Arizona. While the Goldwater Institute doesn’t view lane splitting as being an individual property right in the same sense as the right to own guns or real estate, it recognizes that some people would prefer the opportunity to split lanes as a practical matter and opens the door for legislators to make such a decision.
Organizations such as The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the American Motorcyclist Association opposing lane splitting on the grounds that it can lead to accidents or close calls. Whereas lane splitting is a common practice in many states, motorcyclists in Arizona are still getting used to the movement. Motorists are less used to motorcyclists weaving between lanes and putting themselves in blind spots, which can lead to extremely close calls or accidents. Lane splitting in reverse – when a motorcycle moves over to the right side of the lane to allow a car driver to pass – is also extremely rare in Arizona, and even more fraught with danger from motorists who are not anticipating the close passing.
The Coalition of Arizona Bikers has recently sought to bring the issue of lane-splitting to individuals through a billboard campaign just outside Phoenix. The billboard favors the legalization of lane splitting. A May 2018 editorial in the Prescott Daily Courier also presented an opportunity for the pro-lane-splitting camp to get its message out.
However, the fact remains that in Arizona, lane splitting is illegal.
Conclusion: Future of Lane Splitting in Arizona
In this article, we have explored the concept of lane splitting, its legal status in Arizona, and the purpose behind it. As we’ve seen, lane splitting is currently illegal in Arizona, but it is permitted in 11 states and Washington D.C. to varying degrees. Several municipalities across the United States are testing the waters by enacting their own lane splitting legislation. Meanwhile, new technologies like V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) connectivity continue to improve rider safety.
The future of lane splitting in Arizona is uncertain. It doesn’t help that efforts to legislate lane splitting face heated opposition from safety advocates. They argue that since there is no conclusive evidence that lane splitting reduces injuries in the event of a crash, why make an exemption for one group of motorists? Opponents of lane splitting also argue that motorcyclists are already afforded enough privileges on the road with the ability to legally pass on the right in Arizona .
However, technology like the RAPTOR system is showing that lane splitting may be safer than we previously thought. Critics of lane splitting argue that riders are untrained and too impulsive to handle lane splitting, but no motorcycle permit is required in order to lane split in other states. In fact, riders who intend to lane split have to receive a special endorsement in California before doing so. Perhaps if Arizona would place a similar requirement on motorcyclists, the issue would not be as contentious.
If lane splitting is ever permitted in Arizona, it requires adopting certain guidelines to safeguard all motorists on the road. For example, lane splitting should be subject to weather conditions, traffic speed, and road size. Until then, both motorcyclists and other motorists need to share the road responsibly for the safety of all.