It is illegal to split lanes on public roads in Texas. The reason why it is illegal is that lane splitting is considered an unsafe practice. If you choose to lane split, it is up to you to obey traffic laws and ensure you are safe on the road.
In the past, Texas had some of the most lenient traffic laws in the country. The state has recently been ranked by the National Safety Council as the safest state in the nation. However, with the recent implementation of “road diets” (removal of lanes from the highway), the state’s ranking could drop significantly.
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What is Lane Splitting?
Lane splitting is not something most people do on their motorcycles. In fact, most motorcyclists don’t even know that it’s illegal. However, lane splitting is perfectly legal in some states.
Lane Splitting is the act of a motorcycle riding along the white dashed lines between two lanes of traffic.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Texas?
The simple answer is “no” because Texas does not have a law that explicitly prohibits lane splitting. The Texas Transportation Code states that all road users must remain within a single lane, but it doesn’t say anything about lane splitting specifically.
The legality of lane splitting in Texas is a topic that has been debated since the state legislature first considered legalizing it in 2015. This was based on the premise that it would provide an alternative form of transportation for motorcyclists, as well as help ease congestion and reduce pollution. However, despite numerous attempts by state lawmakers to legalize lane splitting in the past, the practice remains illegal in the state.
Lane filtering is when a motorcyclist rides in the left or right lane and travels at the same speed as other vehicles. This is legal in most states in the U.S.
Recent Bills to Legalize Lane Splitting
Lane Splitting is a legal practice of riding a motorcycle on the shoulder or inside the dashed lines on the side of the road. It has been illegal in Texas since the 1950s, but a bill to allow lane splitting was filed in 2015. The bill, sponsored by State Representative Joe Pickett, would allow motorcycles to split lanes if they were traveling under 50 mph and stayed within their lane for at least half a mile. The bill would also require riders to wear helmets and have insurance.
The bill would have allowed a person to drive in the left lane of a road that was going at 20mph or less, so long as the vehicle was moving no slower than the speed limit in the right lane. The bill was proposed after a driver was killed by a vehicle that was doing 60mph in a 45mph zone. The bill was struck down by the Texas Senate Transportation Committee.
Lane Splitting Penalties
Texas is one of the few states that have a specific law on lane splitting. The penalty for this offense varies depending on the state. In California, lane splitting is legal and there are no penalties. However, lane splitting is not permitted in New York, Florida, and most other states. In some cases, lane splitting is only allowed when there is a single lane of traffic in each direction.
This is something to keep in mind as you move forward with your case. You may be able to collect compensation for your injuries, but the amount you collect will be reduced by the percentage of negligence attributed to the other party.
Is Lane Splitting Safe?
The problem with lane splitting is that it’s not always safe. There are a lot of distractions in traffic that can affect your judgment. Plus, you’re sharing the road with vehicles that could be larger and heavier than yours.
First, lane splitting is legal in all 50 states. Second, the Texas Legislature has not banned it, so until they do, it is still a violation. And if you get caught, you can be fined up to $100.
We have all seen drivers who have lane splits, but that doesn’t mean we should or even that it is a good idea. It is just something that happens. Lane splitting is not illegal, and in some states, it is even encouraged.
