Lane splitting occurs when a motorcyclist drives between lanes on a roadway with stopped or moving traffic in the same direction. While it can be done safely, there are also instances where lane splitting can lead to motorcycle accidents. Lane splitting was a legal gray area in Texas for a long time, as there were no laws addressing the issue explicitly.
In 2016, the Texas State Senate introduced a bill that would legalize lane splitting under certain conditions, but it did not pass into law. A similar bill, SB 273, was introduced again in 2018, but it eventually died. Finally, in September 2023, Texas formally outlawed lane splitting by passing a new motorcycle law, HB-4122.
Texas’s Law on Lane Splitting
Lane splitting in Texas is illegal as of September 1, 2023. The law, HB-4122, prohibits a motorcycle operator from riding between lanes with vehicles moving in the same direction. Riders are also not allowed to pass a vehicle while in the same lane as the car being passed.
However, motorcyclists can share a lane with not more than one biker by riding side by side. The new lane splitting law in Texas does not apply to police officers performing their official duties.
Texas Is Joining the Majority of States To Prohibit Lane Splitting
By enacting the new motorcycle law, Texas officially joined the majority of states that prohibit lane splitting and lane filtering. Supporters of this law cite safety concerns when vehicles unexpectedly come into close proximity when a motorcyclist lane splits or filters.
California is the only state that explicitly allows lane splitting and has even made it illegal for drivers to intentionally impede or block motorcyclists from doing so. Other states allow lane splitting but only under certain conditions to ensure the safety of all road users. For instance, Montana allows bikers to lane split and filter as long as the motorcycle is not moving above 20 miles per hour and vehicles are not moving at more than 10 miles per hour.
A few states, such as Nebraska, don’t have laws directly addressing lane splitting. In such cases, lane splitting is not generally considered illegal and is likely to come up only in cases where it causes an accident.
Lane Splitting vs. Lane Filtering
Lane splitting is the practice of a motorcycle riding between rows of traffic that have stopped or are moving in the same direction. Many places that allow lane splitting in one form or another have a maximum speed at which the rider can move to promote safety while reducing congestion at the same time.
Just like lane splitting, lane filtering occurs when a biker moves between through lanes but only when traffic is stopped. This often happens at intersections when cars have stopped at a traffic light. Motorcycles “filter” to the front so they can move faster when the light changes and prevent themselves from being hit when stopped at a red light. Under the new law HB-4122, lane filtering is also illegal in Texas.
What HB 4122 Means for Texas Motorcyclists
Besides outlawing lane splitting in Texas, HB-4122 introduced other rules that motorcyclists and car drivers should know. First, motorcycles are entitled to operate within a full lane, and drivers should not deprive riders of this space. However, two motorcycles can legally share a lane when riding side by side because they don’t occupy as much space as larger vehicles.
Second, a motorcycle cannot pass a car while in the same lane as the car being passed. When passing a vehicle, riders must change lanes and move to the next row first.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help?
Laws often change, and it can be hard to keep up, especially if you’ve been involved in an accident and want to sue the at-fault party. Shamieh Law is an award-winning personal injury law firm with a proven track record of helping crash victims get their lives back on track, whether by helping them receive medical treatment or pursue legal compensation.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to listen to your story and evaluate your case. You may be entitled to significant compensation if you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by illegal lane splitting. Call (469) 813-7332 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
