Sponsored Content: The lane division is still controversial. Can it eventually become national law?

Content provided by Bartek Szymanski

The reason for lane separation and lane filtering couldn’t be clearer: they allow motorcycles to take the lead, thereby reducing the number of cars hitting bicycles, as bicycles are much less visible than other vehicles. other convenience. No brains, right? Truly a mind saver. So it seems logical that lane division and lane filtering should be the law of the land. And they don’t. At least not yet. Though things seem to be moving in that direction as some states have legalized them.

Advantages and disadvantages of lane separation/filtering

For some, it’s a safe and practical way for motorcyclists to get through traffic and help ease congestion.

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And it’s not just for motorcyclists. Of course, motorcyclists can stay ahead of the traffic and that saves time on their journey, but it also frees up space for other motorists.

For others, lane separation/filtering is a dangerous practice that can cause accidents and be life-threatening. This difference of opinion has caused much debate in recent years, especially when California made changes to its law in 2016. have legalized the maneuver.

The American Motorcycle Association has long argued that lane separation makes the road safer for riders and reduces traffic congestion, a view that is largely based on the successful application of this approach in California and a recent study. conducted by the University of California, Berkeley. Led by the university’s Center for Safe Traffic Education and Research, UC Berkley’s research shows that Lane filtering can be a safe practice if traffic is moving 50 mph slower and the driver is not moving 15 mph faster than other vehicles on the road.

Rear-end collisions are the biggest threat to motorcyclists when stopping and going; When a cyclist is hit from behind, it’s not only an inconvenience, but it can also be a minor crash. It can be devastating. By moving out of traffic and onto a clear road, where cyclists can see what’s ahead and react, they avoid danger from behind and can control their gears. own part.

Which US states have legalized lane separation/filtering?

Lane division has been legalized in some states. Including:

• california – California was one of the first states to implement lane separation even before it was legalized; motorists and motorcyclists have respected this practice for many years. In 2016, it was declared legal statewide. California is the only state in the US to legalize lane separation. National Assembly Bill No. 51.
• arizona – Governor Doug Ducey signed SB 1273, allowing motorcyclists to stay close to the curb and pass cars that are stopped in the same lane. The law says it will be legal as long as the speed limit on the street is 45 mph or slower, and motorcyclists don’t go faster than 15 mph. AZ SB1007 | 2020 | Fifty-fourth Legislature 2nd Ordinary Time.
• Hawaii – Although lane separation is technically not legal because Hawaii’s roads can be too narrow, the state already allows motorcyclists to glide across the island when there is a traffic jam.
• Connecticut State – Senate Bill 629 was recently introduced in Connecticut, and lawmakers are currently discussing legalizing lane separation and filtering. The bill has been referred to the Transportation Commission, but there hasn’t been any news since it was proposed.
• Wyoming – In March 2019, Utah followed California’s example by becoming the second state to officially legalize filtration. The Utah Highway Patrol has been proactive about the new law, launching an awareness campaign to notify motorists a month and a half before the change. Although it is not as easy as dividing lanes, the lane filtering feature can help motorcyclists avoid being tailed when traveling on the road.
• Oregon – House Bill 2314, a proposal to legalize lane separation, was put on the Speaker’s desk and is currently being discussed. If the bill passes, motorcyclists will be allowed to travel between cars on roads with speed limits of 50 mph or more and traffic moving at 10 mph or slower. .
• Washington – In 2015, Washington introduced a bill to legalize lane separation, but it did not pass. Then, four years later, legislators reintroduced Senate Bill 5254, has been suspended for discussion. On January 13, 2020, the same Senate Bill was reintroduced and is still awaiting approval.
• On October 1, 2021, Montana became the third state to legalize lane separation when it passed SB 9, “allowing two-wheelers to pass stopped or slow-moving vehicles at no more than 20 mph, to filter between lanes that have stopped traffic going in the same direction when conditions permit, and designate the reasonable and prudent behavior of motorcycles while filtering the lanes.”
• Virginia – At the beginning of the year, Representative Tony Wilt introduced House Bill 1236 Amendment to the Code of Virginia, which allows for the division of land within the state. This bill has been referred to the Transportation Commission and is awaiting approval.

All other states either ban lane markings or simply don’t have laws addressing the issue, although some states have opened discussions about the possibility of legalizing lane markings or filtering motorcycle lanes. .

How is it in states where lane separation/filtering is illegal?

As an example of possible penalties from states that deny lane separation, New York It is expressly prohibited to separate lanes of any kind, under the Vehicles and Traffic Law (VTL) 1252. Under this law, motorcyclists cannot drive between vehicle-specific lanes. traffic or adjacent rows of vehicles. (VTL) 1252 also grants motorcyclists a number of other privileges and protections, including the right to ride side-by-side in a certain lane. In addition, motorcyclists also have the right to use their entire lane. Subsection (d) also prohibits motorcyclists from entering a lane with more than two people. When a defendant commits a lane separation offense for the first time, the maximum penalty for lane separation is a fine of $150.00, 15 days in prison, an $88.00 surcharge and 2 points. However, motorcyclists can have considerable leverage in motorcycle injury caseif they are not entirely at fault. However, as CBS 2 New York reports, it doesn’t appear that New York City will change this lane ban.

It’s worth noting that lane separation is legal in many other countries, including most of Europe.

The biggest downside of the current lane separation is that it is not uniform across the country and for it to be truly safe it needs to be changed. Every state needs to legalize and train drivers for it. It’s just the smart thing to do.

Call to action

If you happen to live in a state where zoning bills are still awaiting approval, update the laws in your state and contact your legislator to assist in legalizing zoning.