The controversy on lane splitting has some convinced that it is doomed to cause a motorcycle accident, with others claiming it is safer than sitting in stop and go traffic. When UC Berkley released a study on lane splitting, everyone was all ears.
To the surprise of many a lawyer, the study found that lane splitting is safe, but only if done at slow speeds. That means staying at 50 mph or below and not going faster than surrounding vehicles. Lane splitting also happens to be pretty common in countries other than America, especially in Europe.
However, in St. George, Utah and elsewhere in the United States, it is still somewhat looked down upon. This may be because some will hear lane splitting is legal and take it to extremes, riding between lanes at high speeds of 80 mph and causing a highway motorcycle accident. Those often don't involve the motorcyclist walking away scratch-free.
The study by Berkley reviewed 5,969 traffic accidents involving motorcycles, finding that the reason sitting in stop and go traffic is so dangerous for motorcyclists is because if they are rear-ended on a St. George highway, they have no protection.
It often causes much worse accidents than simply weaving around cars does. The study found that less than five percent of riders who lane split were ever rear-ended. However, lane splitters were more apt to be in a motorcycle accident that involved lane changing.
Another interesting fact the study brought up is that lane splitters in St. George and elsewhere were less likely to be drinking before driving, wore safer helmets and rode in order to commute to work. Any lawyer would agree these riders are essentially safer.
Although there may be some irresponsible riders who cause a motorcycle accident with fast lane splitting, most of them lane split in a safe manner. With that said, any lawyer would point out that this activity is not actually legal in every state.
Be careful to not surge ahead and start lane splitting just because it could be considered safe. In many states it is still an illegal activity and action will be taken by a cop or lawyer against anyone who does not follow the law.
Whether in St. George or somewhere else, review the state laws and if it is legal, decide whether lane splitting would deter you from a motorcycle accident or increase those chances. It often depends on the rider and his or her level of safety concern.
Shauna Holdaway is a legal writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry.
To the surprise of many a lawyer, the study found that lane splitting is safe, but only if done at slow speeds. That means staying at 50 mph or below and not going faster than surrounding vehicles. Lane splitting also happens to be pretty common in countries other than America, especially in Europe.
However, in St. George, Utah and elsewhere in the United States, it is still somewhat looked down upon. This may be because some will hear lane splitting is legal and take it to extremes, riding between lanes at high speeds of 80 mph and causing a highway motorcycle accident. Those often don't involve the motorcyclist walking away scratch-free.
The study by Berkley reviewed 5,969 traffic accidents involving motorcycles, finding that the reason sitting in stop and go traffic is so dangerous for motorcyclists is because if they are rear-ended on a St. George highway, they have no protection.
It often causes much worse accidents than simply weaving around cars does. The study found that less than five percent of riders who lane split were ever rear-ended. However, lane splitters were more apt to be in a motorcycle accident that involved lane changing.
Another interesting fact the study brought up is that lane splitters in St. George and elsewhere were less likely to be drinking before driving, wore safer helmets and rode in order to commute to work. Any lawyer would agree these riders are essentially safer.
Although there may be some irresponsible riders who cause a motorcycle accident with fast lane splitting, most of them lane split in a safe manner. With that said, any lawyer would point out that this activity is not actually legal in every state.
Be careful to not surge ahead and start lane splitting just because it could be considered safe. In many states it is still an illegal activity and action will be taken by a cop or lawyer against anyone who does not follow the law.
Whether in St. George or somewhere else, review the state laws and if it is legal, decide whether lane splitting would deter you from a motorcycle accident or increase those chances. It often depends on the rider and his or her level of safety concern.
Shauna Holdaway is a legal writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry.