You may be wondering, can motorcycles split lanes in Texas? Texas motorcyclists need to know the latest laws regarding lane splitting. As of September 2023, Texas explicitly banned lane splitting. This means you cannot legally ride between lanes of traffic, even to avoid congestion.
Regardless of how you feel about lane splitting, breaking the law could lead to severe legal consequences or an accident. Let’s explore what the law says about lane splitting in Texas, why the state implemented the ban, and how our legal team can help if you crash while lane splitting.
The Texas Ban on Motorcycle Lane Splitting Explained
When can motorcycles split lanes in Texas? Never, as of September 2023. Before 2023, Texas had no law explicitly addressing lane splitting. A bill passed in the state legislature that year amended the Texas Transportation Code to say that motorcycle riders may not “operate the motorcycle between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.” The only exception to this law banning lane splitting is for police officers performing their official duties. Everyone else using the road cannot split lanes of traffic.
Why Did Texas Ban Lane-Splitting?
Texas lawmakers decided to ban lane splitting due to safety concerns. One common worry people have about lane splitting is that it might increase the risk of crashes. Drivers may not expect motorcycles to pass between lanes, so they may drift or try to change lanes without checking for motorcyclists in their blind spots. This can lead to dangerous collisions, especially in heavy traffic or at high speeds.
Texas aims to reduce these risks and enhance overall road safety for everyone by banning lane splitting. Many motorcycle riders, however, believe the ban may make riders less safe on the roads. Lane splitting can help reduce traffic congestion and reduce the risk of motorcyclists being rear-ended. A 2015 report on lane splitting by UC Berkeley and the California Office for Traffic Safety revealed that even when riders were hit, lane-splitting riders were less likely to be injured or killed.
Furthermore, letting motorcycle riders split lanes can help motorcycles and riders themselves avoid overheating when they’re stopped in hot weather. For the moment, though, motorcyclists should follow the law and not split lanes while riding.
What If You Crash While Lane-Splitting in Texas?
If you crash while lane splitting in Texas, it doesn’t automatically mean you can’t recover compensation for your losses. Since Texas is a comparative negligence state, however, you may be assigned a percentage of fault for the accident and receive a smaller portion of the compensation that you may have received otherwise.
Even though the law bans lane splitting, you still have rights. A motorcycle injury lawyer can help protect those rights. They know how to prove that other factors contributed to the crash and that you deserve fair compensation as a result.
Is There a No Chase Law in Texas For Motorcycles?
You might have come across discussions about police chase rules and wondered, “Is there a no-chase law for motorcycles in Texas?” Texas doesn’t have a specific law that stops law enforcement from chasing motorcyclists who try to escape. However, police officers usually adhere to their department’s pursuit policies, which often prioritize public safety and may advise against high-speed chases in certain scenarios.
Does Texas Have a Motorcycle Helmet Law?
Texas has a partial helmet law, meaning that riders who are 21 years or older can ride without a helmet if they have passed a safety course and have medical insurance. Read more about Texas Motorcycle Laws here.
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