Every Arizona driver should act with caution to ensure their own safety and that of others on the road. However, it can be difficult to drive safely when others around you don’t adhere to traffic laws or act recklessly. For example, many motorcycle drivers are found lane splitting in high-traffic areas, which is an extremely dangerous activity when other drivers aren’t aware that it’s occurring. This leads many residents to ask, is lane splitting legal in Arizona?

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Arizona?

No, lane splitting is not legal in Arizona. According to Arizona law, lane splitting is illegal and can result in a traffic violation or even a misdemeanor. All Arizona motorcyclists are legally required to follow the same driving laws as every other vehicle on the road. The intent of these traffic laws is to keep drivers and pedestrians safe while sharing state roads.

What Is Lane Splitting in Arizona?

Lane splitting involves weaving through moving lanes of traffic. Only motorcycles are small enough to do this without immediately causing a pile-up, however, it can still be a dangerous activity. For example, if a motorcyclist isn’t careful and fails to time their move perfectly, they could cause serious accidents if a car is trying to switch lanes and doesn’t see them. Lane splitting is often used to avoid sitting in Arizona traffic.

Some motorcyclists argue that not only is lane splitting safe, but it reduces the potential of a rear-end collision during stop-and-go traffic. Ultimately, motorcyclists are going to choose to do what they want, which is why it’s crucial that all drivers are cautious and aware of their surroundings on the road. If you are involved in a car accident due to a motorcyclist’s lane splitting, you should report it to the proper authorities and potentially take legal action.

How Is Lane Splitting in Arizona Dangerous?

Many motorcyclists engage in lane splitting often and do not consider the dangerous consequences of their actions. For other drivers, seeing a motorcycle zip past them on the dividing line in traffic can be a shocking moment. Understanding how dangerous lane splitting can be is paramount to ensuring traffic safety in Arizona. Here are some of the many ways that lane splitting is dangerous:

  • Reduced Visibility: The biggest danger that comes with lane splitting is reduced visibility. When a motorcyclist weaves through traffic without thinking of other drivers, they are often driving right through other drivers’ blind spots. If one of those drivers were to suddenly change lanes or drift, unaware of the motorcycle in their blind spot, the resulting accident could be catastrophic, particularly to the motorcyclist.
  • Speed Differentials: When a motorcyclist weaves through traffic while lane splitting, it is easily the fastest vehicle on the road at the time. Maintaining a safe speed relative to the traffic around you is vital to your safety on the road. If one vehicle, particularly a small one, is going considerably faster than every other vehicle around them, it greatly increases the risks of an accident.
  • Poor Reaction Time: The faster you are going, the slower your reaction time is going to be. Vehicles on the road make sudden lane changes all the time. If they do so while unaware of a fast-moving motorcycle coming up behind them during slow traffic, the driver of that vehicle is going to have very limited time to react.
  • Unseen Hazards: It is much harder to react to a road hazard if you are flying through traffic. The reason traffic could be happening at all could be due to a hazard that a motorcyclist may fail to see because they are splitting lanes.

FAQs

Q: Does Arizona Allow Lane Splitting?

A: No, Arizona does not allow lane splitting. Weaving between lanes in traffic in Arizona is considered an illegal activity and may be punishable with harsh penalties. If you are caught lane splitting by Arizona police, you could be given a citation, and points will be added to your driving record. Lane splitting can be highly dangerous and is often not worth the risk.

Q: What Is the Difference Between Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering in Arizona?

A: The primary difference between lane splitting and lane filtering is whether or not traffic is moving at the time. Lane splitting happens while traffic is in motion, while lane filtering happens when traffic is stopped. Lane filtering is not illegal in Arizona. It allows motorcyclists to move freely in stopped traffic and lets them get ahead of inattentive drivers. Motorcyclists are still expected to drive responsibly and act cautiously despite these laws.

Q: In Which States Is Lane Splitting Legal?

A: Lane splitting is only completely legal in the state of California, but it is semi-legal in Montana and Utah. In those two states, lane splitting is only legal under certain conditions, such as when you are operating at a low speed. Lane filtering, however, is completely legal in Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, and Utah. For every other state, it is up to the discretion of the local law enforcement if they want to enforce lane-splitting laws.

Q: Can Motorcycles Ride Next to Each Other in Arizona?

A: Yes, motorcycles are allowed to ride side by side in Arizona, but only if both motorcyclists have agreed to share the road and they are in the same lane. This behavior can be dangerous if both motorcyclists are not on the same page. If an accident is caused by them, it may not be too difficult to determine fault.

Your Arizona Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

If you have been in a car accident as a result of a motorcycle’s lane splitting, it is highly recommended that you reach out to an experienced Phoenix motorcycle accident lawyer to start building a case against the driver who caused it. You may have suffered serious injuries, and you deserve to be compensated for the damages you’ve endured.

At Luis P. Guerra, LLC, we are prepared to be your legal advocates as you work through an accident claim. Contact our firm today to speak to a valued team member about how we can help.