Is lane splitting on a motorcycle legal in New Jersey?
By: Amanda Wallace
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... We have all been there, driving down the highway, sitting in traffic or stopped at a light when a motorcycle comes weaving between cars. It can be dangerous and startling, but from a motorcyclist's perspective, in certain circumstances it is done for their own safety.
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Regardless of the speed or purpose, when a motorcycle weaves through other vehicles also known as land splitting or lane filtering, it leads many to wonder, "is this even legal?
..... the definition of lane splitting and filtering varies based on the state. according to Bob Simpson, a rider coach trainer and manager of the Quality Assurance Program for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), who says that there are so many variables in this particular subject.
..... "Different states call it different things. The definition of lane splitting and lane filtering are different sometimes from state to state," Simpson, who that his statements are his opinion only and that he is not acting as a spokesperson for MSF. "driving between cars is either lane splitting or lane filtering, and filtering is usually at a much slower speed or when the cars are stopped."
..... for example,, in California, the only state to Simpson's knowledge where lane splitting is legal, the maneuver is defined by the California Highway Patrol as "driving a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, that has tow wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided streets, roads, or highways." In Arizona lane filtering is legal under certain circumstances as long as the street "is divided into at least two adjacent traffic lanes in the same direction of travel," and has a speed limit no higher than 45 mph.
..... Additionally, the motorcyclist cannot exceed 15 mph while filtering through lanes in Arizona, Simpson, a rider of about 40 years, does not condone lane splitting at high speeds, as it is a "very dangerous thing to do," but he sees the benefit in lane filtering in certain circumstances.
..... "One of the reasons behind that is that often motorcycles are hit form behind because we are small, and people don't see us. Unfortunately, people are distracted by their cellphones and so on, especially as they approach an intersection or a red light," said Simpson. "so this helps prevent that a little bit by being between two cars."
..... However, Simpson stressed that there is always going to be some danger involved in lane filtering, and that this maneuver needs to be done safely, responsibly and in a way that does not startle other drivers.
..... Another maneuver that is commonly discussed is known as lane sharing, in which two motorcycles rid next to each other in one lane if there is enough room. According to Simpson, the most important thing is to be a responsible motorcycle rider.
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"Unfortunately, you know, I hear all the time when we set up at fairs and stuff like, that and we're always saying, "Watch for motorcycles." You know, some people give us a lot of push back saying, 'Well you guys are doing wheelies out on the road, you're weaving in and out of traffic,' My answer to that is that's not what we condone. We are just the opposite," said Simpson.
..... He continued, "we're trying to cerate safe riders that think of safety and try to keep themselves safe and the people around them as well. so, safety is key."
Is lane splitting legal in New Jersey?
..... There is no law in New jersey that directly addresses lane splitting, according to Nicholas Schock, president of the New Jersey Traffic Offers Association.
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Schock said, however, that any motorist could be cited for improper passing per NJSAA 39:4-85, which states that "A driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pas at a safe distance to the left thereof and shall not again drive to there left side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle."
..... "Lane splitting involves passing vehicles on both the right and left, and often not at a safe distance," said Schock. In a statement on behalf of the New Jersey State Police, Sargent Jeffery Lebron said,: "In New Jersey, motorcycles are considered motor vehicles. As such, motorcycle drivers are required to follow all traffic laws as defined in Title 39, just as they would when operating a passenger vehicle," explaining that maneuvers such as lane splitting and filtering violate the law about improper passing. Additionally, according to Lebron, lane sharing constitutes a violation of either NJS 39:4-96, which addresses reckless driving, or NJS 39:4-97, which addresses careless driving.
..... The state advises against lane sharing, filtering and splitting in the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission's Motorcycle Driver's Manual, which says: "Vehicles and motorcycles each need a full lane to operate safely. Do not share lanes. DO not try to squeeze past a stopped vehicle in the same lane."
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The manual continues: "Do not pair up. never operate directly alongside another motorcycle. there will be no place to escape or avoid another vehicle."
..... So, while the Garden State does not have any laws that specifically address or prohibit lane splitting, filtering or sharing on a motorcycle, performing those maneuvers do break multiple laws. Unfortunately, there are some motorcyclists that give motorcycles a bad name by the way they ride or behave on the road, but ... there's also car drivers out there that do the same thing, weaving in and out of traffic, driving at high speeds and so on," said Simpson. "I think that;s the biggest thing with me is that we have a responsibility to believe and act responsibly."
..... Simpson continued" "I think motor cycle riding is a fantastic sport and I for one love it, but we have a responsibility to act civil while we're riding our motorcycle. It doesn't give us the right to disobey the laws."