Is Lane Splitting Legal in Georgia for Motorcycle Riders?

Lane splitting and lane filtering are both illegal in most states in the U.S., Georgia included. There are currently only eight states where lane-splitting has limited legality and nine where there is no clear legislation on the matter. Although the idea behind lane splitting is to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety, the practice has proven to have the opposite effect. Lane-splitting has been linked to an increased risk or motorcycle accidents, as it can be difficult for drivers to anticipate the presence of a motorcycle in their blind spot.

What Is Lane Splitting?

Lane splitting is the practice of riding a motorcycle in the space between vehicles on a roadway. Lane splitting aims to reduce congestion in high-traffic areas. According to Georgia’s Motor Vehicle and Traffic Code §40-6-312, motorcyclists cannot operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or adjacent rows or lines of traffic. Georgia’s law against lane-splitting does not apply to police officers performing their official duties.

What Is Lane Filtering?

Lane filtering is specifically for use at traffic lights to reduce the occurrence of motorcyclists being rear-ended. It allows motorcyclists to move into the space between vehicles at a traffic light and move to the front where they can more easily reintegrate themselves into the flow of traffic when the light turns green.

Why Is Lane Splitting Illegal in Georgia?

The intent behind making lane-splitting illegal is to reduce the occurrence of accidents. Motorcycle accidents are often more dangerous than other forms of automobile accidents for the riders involved.

A study conducted by U.C. Berkeley found that a difference in speed between motorcyclists and other automobiles on a roadway was a greater indicator of the likelihood of an accident occurring than the speed being traveled. Lane-splitting on its own doesn’t increase the likelihood of a collision, but by driving at a greater speed than the rest of traffic, accidents become more likely to occur.

Even if a motorcyclist is being cautious and attentive, they can be difficult to spot for drivers, especially when they are traveling faster than other vehicles on the roadway. Another potential danger of lane splitting is car drivers have no way of predicting when a motorcycle might use the space in between cars to travel.

Other Laws Motorcyclists in Georgia Should Know About

• Motorcyclists are legally required to wear helmets while riding in Georgia
• If the motorcycle does not have a windscreen that offers eye protection, riders must wear goggles or some other form of eye protection
• Riders must have vehicle liability insurance and a Class M license to operate a motor vehicle in Georgia
• Motorcyclists can only carry passengers on motorcycles built with a pillion or otherwise designed to carry passengers
• While driving in Georgia, motorcyclists must keep their headlights and taillights on at all times
• Lane-sharing is legal up to two motorcycles per lane
• Riders cannot pass vehicles while in the same lane as the vehicle being passed

These motorcycle laws are intended to keep motorists safe while they share roadways other motorists, but accidents can still occur. If you were involved in a car-motorcycle collision at no fault of your own, you should consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to help you recover proper compensation.

ATL Elite Lawyers Can Help You After a Motorcycle Collision

Motor vehicle collisions can happen to even the most cautious drivers. Recovering after a motorcycle accident can be a long and stressful process.

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