Lane Splitting Research Paper

Save Motorists: Legalize Lane Splitting

While out riding a motorcycle many times you notice gaps that you could easily fit through when sitting in slow traffic. Then you stop and think twice because it is against the law and could get you a hefty fine. Lane splitting is when riders go between clearly marked lines in traffic. This may sound dangerous but if you think about it from a motorcyclists view it is much safer. California is the only state where lane splitting, also known as filtering, is allowed, but not because it was made legal, because it has no laws prohibiting it. Every other state it is specifically stated that it is against the law. Lane splitting is safer and a more efficient way to travel when riding a motorcycle.
Filtering is safer for motorcyclists than riding behind and infront of cars in traffic. Being in front of potentially distracted drivers in traffic is one of the most dangerous spots for a motorcycle rider to be, but riders have no choice, if traffic is slow we are gridlocked just like the cars. People might think this is fair, however on a motorcycle riders do not have a big steel cage to protect them. Getting rear ended on …show more content…
In countries with less road laws a motorcycle is a great way to get from one place to another fast because of their small size. The rider is on a much smaller vehicle, they should be able to take advantage if the parts of the road that bigger vehicles cannot. The laws in the states turn a lot of people off from riding a motorcycle for commuting. Motorcycles would be much more viable mode of transportation if lane splitting was legalized. Even car drivers can benefit from motorcyclists being able to filter, less motorcycles in gridlocked rush hour traffic lessens the severity of the traffic. This allows cars to get to their destination faster along with the filtering motorists. Of course lane splitting is not all about speed, it is meant for slower