Lane trimming, also known as lane filtering, occurs when a motorcycle travels on dotted lines on a multi-lane road to pass between other slow-moving vehicles. It usually occurs in traffic jams and helps busy drivers save time moving past traffic lines. During the 2021 legislature, no lane filtering bill was introduced. Traditionally, this tactic was considered dangerous behavior and was banned almost everywhere for many years. However, some states have legalized lane filtering, increasing the temptation for drivers to get away with it in states where it is illegal. While Texas doesn`t have a law that explicitly mentions lane splitting. The Texas Transportation Code § 545.060 states that all road users must remain on one lane, making lane sharing essentially illegal. } },{ “@type”: “Question”, “Name”: “What is lane separation?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “Text”: “Motorcycle lane division is the act of a motorcycle driving along the white dotted lines between two lanes. This is often done in slow traffic to reduce travel times. },{ “@type”: “Question”, “Name”: “Where is lane division legal?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “Text”: “California Governor Jerry Brown recognized lane division when he signed the law into law in August 2016. This allows motorcyclists to share lanes, with the recommendation not to share lanes more than 30 miles per hour. “} },{ “@type”: “Question”, “Name”: “Is lane splitting legal elsewhere?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “Text”: “Not yet. California remains the only state to legalize this practice.
Keep in mind that there are many states where lane separation is not illegal, but it is also not recognized by law. “} },{ “@type”: “Question”, “Name”: “Is lane duplication safe?”, “acceptedAnswer”: { “@type”: “Answer”, “Text”: “Proponents of lane stripping claim that lane splitting helps reduce rear-end collisions. With motorcyclists 27 times more likely to die on U.S. roads, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), activists cite studies showing a decrease in crashes where lane separation is allowed. The answer is no. Lane sharing in Texas currently remains a traffic violation and could result in lower compensation if you are involved in an accident. If an accident occurs as a result of a lane change, the motorcyclist could be found negligent because he or she rode in a manner that could be construed as reckless. In 2019, SB 273 dealt with lane separation — but the bill never passed the Senate Transportation Committee of the 87th Texas Legislature.
In 2015, two separate bills were introduced on both sides of the Texas legislature. Both bills proposed to allow lane sharing on certain roads where traffic traveled at 20 miles per hour or less. Neither made it past committee stage at the end of the Legislative Assembly. This happens when a person acts negligently while violating a law to protect the public. Lane separation could be considered negligent, and it shows that you are putting others at risk by breaking a law to protect the public. If you pay a ticket, plead guilty or are found guilty at a hearing, this fact would replace the first two elements to prove negligence. Although the terms lane separation, lane filtering and lane sharing are sometimes used interchangeably, they refer to three different activities that motorcyclists can perform on the road. Reich & Binstock is here to provide you with top-notch legal services if you have been involved in a motorcycle track accident. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys in Houston will help you get the compensation you deserve. Not surprisingly, given the legal inconsistencies, there are two different camps when it comes to splitting lanes. If you hit your back, you have two hits against you in terms of foul – you illegally divided the lane and hit the other vehicle.
If you are wiped sideways, you may argue that the driver has not checked if it is safe to change lanes. Even if they didn`t, their insurance company would argue that you are even more to blame for being at the time and place of the accident for breaking the law. When it comes to speed, lane separation allows motorcycles to move quickly and efficiently in traffic. Due to the division of lanes, there are fewer vehicles on the road. Motorcyclists say they share the lane for speed and safety. For better or worse, the risk of traffic anger is another element that safety experts cite as the reason why lane filtering is dangerous. Many motorists don`t like motorcyclists “jumping to the top of the line,” which increases the likelihood of dangerous retaliation and after-effects.