Lane splitting, also known as late sharing, refers to motorcyclists who ride between cars that are stopped, or between slower moving traffic. It’s legal in California but that doesn’t mean that anyone on a motorcycle can simply weave in and out of traffic. There are not only regulations involving lane splitting, but there are best practices. As a San Bernardino motorcycle accident lawyer who’s seen many accidents, Attorney Vargas wants you to know the following six things about lane splitting.
- Watch your speed
- Don’t lane split if traffic is flowing
- Stick to the left lanes if possible
- Take everything into consideration
- Be ready to react to other drivers
- The four “Rs” may make this process easier
- Be reasonable.
- Be responsible.
- Be respectful.
- Be aware of what’s happening on the roadway.
You should never drive more than miles per hour faster than the traffic around you. This means that you can go between vehicles to get ahead of a traffic jam, but you should do so slowly and only speed up once you’re in traffic that’s flowing again.
Lane splitting should be reserved for situations in which traffic is stopped or going very slow. If traffic is flowing at or above 30 miles per hour, then danger is seriously increased. The faster you’re going, the more serious a crash would be. If you’ve been in this type of crash, contact a San Bernardino motorcycle accident attorney right away.
If possible, don’t lane split when you’re close to on-ramps or exits, and try to split lanes as far to the left as possible. This is the safest place to do it because road users are more used to it on this side. If you see another cyclist lane splitting near you, wait until they’ve moved on before doing it yourself.
Any experienced San Bernardino motorcycle accident attorney will tell you that there are a handful of things to take into consideration before deciding that it’s safe to lane split. You should take not just the speed of other vehicles into consideration, but how wide the lanes are, how big the vehicles around you are, the condition of the roadway, the weather, and the lighting conditions.
You should always be aware of all vehicles around you and ready to take action if one of these vehicles abruptly changes lanes. Be ready to respond to drivers who aren’t paying attention to the road, and don’t spend more time in a vehicle’s blind spot than is absolutely necessary.
At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we have an easy way to remember the most important things about lane splitting – the four Rs.
If you’ve been injured while driving a motorcycle, or injured as the result of a motorcycle rider’s negligence or recklessness, then you should speak with a San Bernardino motorcycle accident lawyer right away. When you call Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707, we offer a free case evaluation. We’ll assess your situation and offer you our best advice on your options to move forward. Now is the time to act.
