There's an open debate on lane splitting in many countries and states, but it looks like California got ahead of the pack. The California Highway Patrol has finally surfaced safety guidelines for lane splitting earlier this year, and we've stumbled upon a video message from the CHP.
While lane splitting became legal for motorcyclists some regulations still apply. If you ask us, such rules are plain common sense, even though reality tends to contradict the assumption.
We're happy to see that the CHP is spreading out the safety-minded message, hoping that the idiots blazing between the rows of slow or stopped cars will finally get it: speeding between the lanes WILL cause a crash, sooner or later!
Lane splitting can be made safer by keeping an eye on the speedometer and not doing more than 10 mph (16 km/h) above the speed of the surrounding traffic and allowing for enough space and time to make sudden maneuvers (read stop or slow down quickly) in case things go wrong.
At the same time, drivers are encouraged to look thoroughly in their mirrors prior to changing lanes and actually expect motorcyclists to be between the lanes. Hopefully the roads become a little safer with such ongoing campaigns.
We're happy to see that the CHP is spreading out the safety-minded message, hoping that the idiots blazing between the rows of slow or stopped cars will finally get it: speeding between the lanes WILL cause a crash, sooner or later!
Lane splitting can be made safer by keeping an eye on the speedometer and not doing more than 10 mph (16 km/h) above the speed of the surrounding traffic and allowing for enough space and time to make sudden maneuvers (read stop or slow down quickly) in case things go wrong.
At the same time, drivers are encouraged to look thoroughly in their mirrors prior to changing lanes and actually expect motorcyclists to be between the lanes. Hopefully the roads become a little safer with such ongoing campaigns.