Without question, four-wheeled motor vehicles are the dominant form of road transportation throughout the world. However, many people also use motorcycles to travel on the road. Daytona Beach has a prominent motorcycle community with a proud riding culture. Unfortunately, many people believe that the rules for cars naturally don’t apply to motorcycles, due to the different risks and capabilities inherent to the motorcycle’s design – particularly when it comes to “lane splitting.”
Below, this article answers the following questions: What is lane splitting, and what are Florida’s laws regarding the act?
What Is Lane-Splitting?
In general, lane-splitting is the act of driving a motorcycle in the space between traffic lanes and cars. Car drivers may frustratingly view lane-splitting as a convenience exclusive to motorcycle transportation. Some think it is a dangerous maneuver that increases the risk of an accident. However, many motorcycle drivers believe lane-splitting is a safety necessity that can reduce their exposure to rear-end collisions from larger vehicles. Notably, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a statement that somewhat recognized that lane-splitting “slightly” reduces collision risks.
Lane-splitting can be divided into 3 different categories:
- Lane-filtering involves maneuvering between lanes of slow-moving traffic, sometimes using the space between vehicles.
- Lane-sharing describes a situation where more than one motorcycle occupies one traffic lane.
- White-lining is the act of driving through higher-speed traffic with the motorcycle staying primarily on the line dividing traffic lanes.
What Is Florida’s Law on Lane Splitting?
Florida, like most other states, is prohibited from lane-filtering and white-lining. Under subsection (2) of Section 316.209 of Florida’ motor vehicle statute, “the operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.” Subsection (3) provides that “no person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.”
However, permissible lane-sharing is limited to two motorcycles per lane under Section 316.209, subsection (4): “Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.” To date, California is the only state that has legalized lane-splitting for motorcycles.
Contact Our Daytona Beach Motorcycle Injury Lawyer for Advice
Motorcycle accidents can lead to severe and sometimes fatal injuries. With such high stakes in mind, motorcycle injury victims should find a serious Daytona Beach motorcycle injury lawyer to fight for their rights. At Politis & Matovina, P.A., we have decades of collective experience dealing with motorcycle injury litigation. Our compassionate yet aggressive approach to representing and litigating motorcycle accident cases has lead to many successful settlements or verdicts for our clients.
Call us at (386) 333-6613, or contact us online for a free case evaluation today.