Lane splitting is illegal in New York City. A motorcyclist who intentionally drives in the wrong lane to pass another vehicle is committing a crime, and could be arrested for reckless driving, reckless endangerment, or even assault.
If you ride a motorcycle, you are more than likely familiar with the laws that apply to you. However, specific laws apply specifically to motorcycle riders and are not always common knowledge. One such law is the one that governs lane splitting in New York. In order to legally split lanes on a bike, you must have a license plate, motorcycle registration, a helmet, and a flag.
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What is Lane Splitting?
Lane splitting is not a new phenomenon. It has been happening for decades and many states have laws to protect riders from drivers who choose to “play chicken” with motorcyclists. These laws require motorists to stay in their own lane and give riders the right of way when in the passing lane.
Lane splitting is the practice of riding in the left or right-most lanes of traffic when there is an opening in the center lane. Motorcyclists do this for safety reasons. They want to stay out of the way of cars, buses, and trucks, which may be traveling at high speeds and have blind spots. This allows them to keep a safe distance from the car or truck they are passing. It also gives them more time to react to other vehicles or pedestrians in their path.
New York’s Lane Splitting Laws
The NYPD has been very vocal about this issue. They believe that lane splitting is unsafe because they think that drivers who are lane splitting are distracted by their phones. They also believe that drivers who are lane splitting are not paying attention to traffic conditions and are therefore more likely to crash. I have been lane-splitting for years, and I can tell you that these claims are false. I am always aware of my surroundings and pay close attention to traffic conditions.
Being a lane splitter is dangerous. Lane splitting is against the law and is unsafe for drivers and pedestrians. It also puts your life at risk because you could be injured or killed by another driver.
Being Pinned Between Vehicles
Being pinned between vehicles is a common reason for accidents, especially in the morning and evening hours. When driving, keep in mind that you need to be able to see other vehicles around you. If you are not sure if you can see a vehicle in front of you, you should back off and let that vehicle pass before you attempt to change lanes.
Road Rage
Lane splitting can be a risky behavior on the road. Studies have found that lane splitting is associated with road rage. Drivers who see someone else cutting ahead of them are often angry, and they may lash out at the other driver. They may also engage in unsafe and illegal driving behaviors such as speeding or running red lights to try and get the other driver back in their lane.
Major Accidents Caused by Minor Actions
If you’re planning on lane splitting, be sure to keep yourself safe. When you are on a bike, you need to be aware of traffic and road conditions. It’s important that you pay attention to the road and to the cars around you. Be careful when passing, and make sure that you do not block the entire lane. Also, don’t cut across the line of traffic. This can be very dangerous and could result in an accident.
How Lane Splitting Could Affect Compensation After an Accident
In order to recover from any injury, you must prove that the accident was not your fault. If you are found to have been at fault, then you cannot collect for your losses. However, New York has a contributory negligence statute that allows you to recover if you were not 100% at fault. The New York contributory negligence statute states that you will be liable for the damage caused by your negligence only to the extent that your negligence contributed to the accident.
Lane splitting laws vary from state to state, but generally, it’s illegal to lane split. Even if you are only lane splitting for a few seconds, it’s still considered lane splitting and could result in a traffic ticket.
