Comments on: Would you like lane-splitting to be legal in North Carolina (or your state)? http://blog.mcrallyfinder.com/25/would-you-like-lane-splitting-to-be-legal-in-north-carolina-or-your-state/ For everything related to the biker lifestyle Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:15:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Steve Johnson http://blog.mcrallyfinder.com/25/would-you-like-lane-splitting-to-be-legal-in-north-carolina-or-your-state/#comment-38 Steve Johnson Fri, 21 Sep 2007 16:31:22 +0000 http://blog.mcrallyfinder.com/25/would-you-like-lane-splitting-to-be-legal-in-north-carolina-or-your-state/#comment-38 The reason why lane-splitting is legal in California has not to do with keeping engines cool, but for safety. This was the argument the California Highway Patrol used when it lobbied the state legislature against making it illegal. California's freeways are so congested, that it puts motorcyclists in danger. During a point where traffic comes to a halt, you'll often have a car not paying attention, and slamming into the back of a motorcycle in front of them. So, lane splitting is legal in California to allow the motorcyclist to go in between cars to avoid getting rear ended. Lane splitting is only legal during certain situations, and not any time. It's only when the other traffic is moving at or below a certain speed (I don't know the MPH off hand), and there's also a maximum speed at which you can ride faster than the other traffic. The reason why lane-splitting is legal in California has not to do with keeping engines cool, but for safety.

This was the argument the California Highway Patrol used when it lobbied the state legislature against making it illegal.

California’s freeways are so congested, that it puts motorcyclists in danger. During a point where traffic comes to a halt, you’ll often have a car not paying attention, and slamming into the back of a motorcycle in front of them.

So, lane splitting is legal in California to allow the motorcyclist to go in between cars to avoid getting rear ended. Lane splitting is only legal during certain situations, and not any time. It’s only when the other traffic is moving at or below a certain speed (I don’t know the MPH off hand), and there’s also a maximum speed at which you can ride faster than the other traffic.

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