Is Lane Splitting Legal in Massachusetts?
You may hear the term lane splitting brought up when discussing controversial laws in states like California – the first state to legalize it. Lane splitting may also be a topic of conversation after a car accident in Massachusetts if the motorcyclist involved was riding between two lanes of traffic at the time of the crash. Learning more about Massachusetts’ most recent lane-splitting laws can help you protect yourself legally after a vehicle collision.
What Is Lane Splitting?
Lane splitting refers to a motorcyclist riding on the line between two lanes of same-direction traffic. On a highway that is separated into three lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, for example, a motorcyclist would be lane splitting if he or she rode on the dotted line that separated the leftmost lane from the middle lane, rather than staying in one lane. Lane splitting is similar to lane filtering, which is when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of stopped traffic to move to the front of the line, except lane splitting takes place while the vehicles are in motion.
Can Motorcyclists Lane Split in Massachusetts?
As of 2022, lane splitting and lane filtering are both against the law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Part 1, Title XIV, Chapter 89, Section 4A of the Massachusetts General Laws states that if any road has been divided into multiple lanes, the driver of a vehicle must drive entirely within a single lane and cannot move from that lane unless he or she has ascertained that the lane change can be made safely. The law also says that while motorcyclists can ride abreast of each other, they must ride single file when passing and cannot pass any other motor vehicle (other than a motorcycle) within the same lane.
After California removed the part of its law that prohibited lane splitting in 2016, similar bills were pushed in many other states. Massachusetts was no exception. In 2017, Bill S.1947 proposed legalizing lane splitting in the Commonwealth by striking out the first paragraph of the statute mentioned above. If the bill had passed, it would have replaced the first paragraph to permit motorcyclists to lane split, as long as they traveled no faster than 15 miles per hour over the speeds of surrounding vehicles and no faster than 50 miles per hour at any time. The bill never moved forward, however.
Is Lane Splitting Dangerous?
Lane splitting remains illegal in Massachusetts and most other states, mainly due to safety concerns. Arguments against the legalization of lane splitting claim that it is a dangerous practice for both motorcyclists and other road users. Those against legalizing lane splitting often argue that it puts motorcycles in close quarters with passenger vehicles, increasing the risk of sideswipe and lane-change accidents. Others say that it can startle drivers enough to make them jerk the steering wheel and cause an accident.
Arguments for lane splitting say that allowing motorcyclists to ride between lanes can protect them from being rear-ended by motor vehicles or rear-ending others. Supporters also point out that allowing motorcyclists to lane split can get them off of the roads faster, decreasing the opportunities for motorcycle accidents. Moving motorcycles off of roads and highways faster can also decrease traffic in heavily congested areas. Valid arguments on both sides of the lane-splitting debate is what makes this topic so controversial.
What Happens if Lane Splitting Causes an Accident?
If a motorcyclist in Massachusetts breaks state law, rides on the line between two lanes and causes a traffic accident, the motorcyclist’s insurance company will most likely be responsible for paying for related injuries and property damage. A motorcyclist who was illegally lane splitting at the time of a crash generally will not be eligible for compensation from someone else’s insurance company, even if the accident permits the rider to file a claim outside of the state’s no-fault system. Learn more about what to do after a lane-splitting accident by contacting an attorney from Merrimack Valley Injury Lawyers.