Texas Considers Allowing Lane Splitting
by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" on 3/12/2009
in Motorcycle Laws and Regulations
Texas
considers lane splittingLane splitting, the practice of slipping
between the lanes of backed up and slowly moving cars, is currently
only legal in California. State Senator John Carona of Dallas, Texas,
wants to change that and has introduced Senate Bill 506 to allow lane
splitting in Texas.
Lane splitting is usually subject to some
controversy wherever it isn’t legal but the ability to move through
traffic is an advantage, not only to the motorcyclist but to the car
driver as well who can move up into the space vacated by the bike.
There would be strict guidelines:
The
operator and the passenger have to be wearing helmets. The operator has
to operate the motorcycle not more than 5 miles-an-hour faster than the
rest of traffic is going. Traffic can’t be going over 20 miles-an-hour
and it can’t be done in a school crossing zone or somewhere where the
speed limit is less than 20 miles-an-hour.
If you live and ride in Texas and have an opinion on this bill, now is the time to let your legislators know.
Thanks for the tip, Don!