Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist either shares a lane with another vehicle or bypasses slowed or stopped traffic by riding their motorcycle between the lanes. This practice is illegal in Georgia. However, some proponents claim that lane splitting is safe if done properly since it reduces congestion.
Some Believe That Lane Splitting Increases Motorcycle Safety
According to the Associated Press (AP), a representative for the American Motorcyclist Association said: “Perhaps one of the most dangerous situations for any motorcyclist is being caught in congested traffic, where stop-and-go vehicles, distracted and inattentive vehicle operators, and environmental conditions increase the risk of physical contact with another vehicle or hazard.”
The only states that explicitly allow the practice are California and Minnesota.
According to a 2015 study from the University of California – Berkeley, lane splitting can be a safe option because:
- It can decrease the potential for riders to be rear-ended.
- Motorcyclists are less likely to suffer severe head (nine percent lower) and torso (19 percent lower) injuries when undertaking this practice.
However, it is important to note that the study also stated, “The current data set cannot be used to compare the collision risks for lane-splitting or non-lane-splitting riders.” This means that we don’t know whether lane splitting is safer or not.
According to UC Berkeley News, the study found that riders who engaged in lane splitting:
- Were more likely to ride on weekdays and during commute hours, which could indicate a more experienced rider
- Use better helmets
- Ride slower
- Were less likely to ride while under the influence
- Were less likely to ride with a passenger
All of these can increase safety, independent of lane splitting.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission wrote in a piece in The Bellingham Herald that, “the real takeaway is less about lane-splitting than it is about riders themselves: Experienced motorcyclists who ride sober, respect the speed limit, wear proper safety gear, and exercise good judgment decrease their risk of injury compared to other riders.”
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Reasons Why Lane Splitting Can Be Dangerous
There’s very little research regarding the safety of lane splitting. Many people assume that the practice is dangerous because, in general, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to get into accidents, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, whether the increased accident rate is due to lane splitting is unknown.
Lane splitting can be dangerous because:
- Motorists are not looking for vehicles that share lanes or ride alongside other drivers, which can increase the potential for blind spot accidents.
- Motorcyclists may speed in instances of stopped traffic, reducing their reaction times.
- It may encourage reckless riding practices (like speeding) in inexperienced riders.
The UC Berkeley study also found that riders who split lanes are more than twice as likely to rear-end other motorists than riders who do not split lanes.
Sometimes, traffic stalls for a reason, like if a serious motor vehicle accident has taken place. If a motorcyclist lane-splits and does not move with the flow of traffic, they might speed right into a hazard without knowing it.
Is Lane Splitting Legal in Georgia?
No, lane splitting is not legal in Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-312, motorcyclists are prohibited from riding between lanes of moving traffic. Some riders argue that lane splitting can reduce rear-end collision risk in heavy traffic, since it gets motorcycles out of a driver’s blind spot. However, that safety argument does not change how Georgia law treats the practice today. Riders who lane split can face citations, regardless of their intent or riding conditions.
What Is the Difference Between Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering?
Lane splitting means riding a motorcycle between two lanes of traffic that are moving, even slowly. Lane filtering refers to moving between vehicles that are fully stopped or barely moving, usually at a red light or in stalled traffic. The distinction comes down to speed and vehicle movement. Both practices involve occupying space between lanes rather than staying within a single lane, which is the core issue under Georgia traffic law.
Is Lane Filtering Legal in Georgia?
No, lane filtering is not legal in Georgia either. Georgia law does not carve out a separate exception for the slower speeds involved in filtering. The same statute that bars lane splitting also applies to filtering between stopped or slow-moving vehicles. Riders sometimes assume that filtering is safer and therefore permitted, but current law makes no such distinction based on traffic speed or vehicle movement.
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Can Motorcycles Share Lanes?
Georgia law entitles riders to full use of a single lane, the same as any other vehicle on the road. Other drivers cannot legally share that lane with a motorcyclist side by side. This protection works both ways: motorcyclists are expected to stay within their own lane rather than splitting or filtering between others. Until Georgia law changes, riders should assume that any lane-sharing behavior beyond normal lane use carries legal risk.
However, riders can share a lane with another motorcycle.
What We Can Do for You After a Lane-Splitting Accident
Our lawyers can pursue compensation if you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a lane-splitting accident. We can recover damages, such as:
- Past and future medical costs
- Past lost income
- Lost future earning potential
- Motorcycle damage or destruction
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Cognitive or physical disability
- Funeral and burial costs
To obtain compensation (including damages not listed here), there are certain tasks we must do beforehand. When you hire a lawyer with our firm, you can depend on them to:
- Update you on the progression of your case
- Explain your legal options to you
- Gather and organize evidence
- Review traffic camera footage and take witness statements
- Identify who is liable for the accident
- Handle all communications with the involved parties
- Negotiate a settlement on your behalf
- Represent you at trial if negotiations don’t work out
How Long You Have to Take Legal Action After Getting Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident
Usually, we can settle with the other party’s insurer, but if, for some reason, it doesn’t work out in our favor, we are always prepared to file a lawsuit and argue your case in court.
Unfortunately, our time to do so is limited, so please notify us about your accident as soon as possible. O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 imposes a general two-year deadline for those bringing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. If we fail to meet the deadline, you may not be able to collect the compensation you need to recover from your accident-related injuries.
Pay No Lawyer’s Fees Until the End of Your Case
Some firms require their clients to pay them an hourly fee or lump sum for their services, but not us. Instead, we operate on a contingency-fee arrangement, meaning we don’t charge anything up front or out of pocket when you partner with us.
If we win a settlement or court award for you, we will take a portion of that as our payment. Should we lose your case, there is no payment due. That way, there is no further financial strain on you and your family during this time.
Connect with Kaine Law After a Motorcycle Accident
Some say that lane splitting can increase motorcycle rider safety if done with care, but the state of Georgia outlaws it. Yet, if you were injured in a motorcycle collision involving lane splitting, you can still seek damages as long as your negligence didn’t mostly cause the collision, per O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33.
To explore your options at no cost, call Kaine Law.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
