Last year, Minnesota became just the sixth state in the U.S. to make lane splitting and filtering legal for motorcyclists. (All other states are in the Western U.S.) This, as motorcyclists know, is what it’s called when they move in and out of traffic lanes.
Lane splitting is often done in extremely slow-moving or stop-and-go traffic. In fact, it’s only legal when traffic is moving no more than 25 miles per hour (mph).
Lane filtering is basically the same action. However, it’s done when at least two lanes of traffic are actually stopped. This can also occur in a traffic jam or even at a stoplight.
What restrictions do lane splitting and filtering motorcyclists have?
In addition to being limited to using these maneuvers in slow or stopped traffic, motorcyclists must adhere to a number of restrictions under the law. For example.
- They can only pass vehicles in the same lane and going in the same direction.
- They cannot travel more than 15 mph above the speed of surrounding traffic.
- They can’t use these maneuvers in certain areas, such as school and construction zones, highway on-ramps or around roundabouts.
While motorcyclists may understandably be happy that these time-saving maneuvers are now legal, the head of Minnesota’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) cautioned that “this is not a free pass for dangerous driving behaviors.”
Why lane splitting and filtering can help protect motorcyclists
In fact, the law was enacted largely to help protect the safety of motorcyclists after a rise in fatal crashes across the state in recent years. For example, it can help prevent deadly rear-end collisions caused by drivers who get distracted while sitting in traffic.
The state has been working to educate both motorcyclists and drivers about the new law and how they all have a role in sharing the roads safely. The motorcycle safety administrator for the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center (MMSC) cautions, “While splitting and filtering are now legal, they are not mandatory, and they’re not always the best option. Motorcyclists should use their best judgment about if and when this can be done safely.”
Drivers who are distracted, under the influence or otherwise driving unsafely can be a danger to motorcyclists who are legally lane splitting or filtering. If you’re a motorcyclist who was injured or you lost a loved one in a crash that occurred while lane splitting or filtering, it’s crucial to know the law so that fault is not wrongly assigned. Getting experienced legal guidance is a good first step to seeking justice and compensation.