by Zayed Al-Sayyed

Arizona Motorcycle Attorney, Personal InjuryApril 8, 20220 comments

Lane Splitting Made Legal in Arizona: What Does It Mean?

So, you may have heard that Arizona recently adopted a law that legalizes lane splitting. But what is lane splitting? And more importantly, how will the new Arizona lane splitting law affect Arizona drivers?

If you have been asking yourself these questions, then you have come to the right place. Our skilled team of Phoenix car accident lawyers is well-versed in Arizona driving laws and is here to break down this new change.

So, lane splitting made legal in Arizona: what does it mean? Buckle up and read on, because today we are answering that very question and more.

What Is Lane Splitting?

At one point in time, we have all witnessed lane splitting on the road—even if you didn’t realize that’s what it was. Lane splitting refers to when a motorcyclist is riding between clearly marked lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction. Generally, lane splitting occurs when traffic is moving slowly —or is completely stopped— and motorcyclists utilize their smaller size to attempt to cruise around the holdup.

In March 2022, Gov. Doug Ducey signed an Arizona state law that allows motorcyclists to ride along the side of or pass a car that is stopped in traffic. However, it applies only to streets with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less for motorcyclists driving a maximum of 15 miles per hour.

Is Arizona’s New Law Considered Lane Splitting?

Yes and no. While the technical definition of lane splitting refers to any motorcyclist driving between lanes of cars (regardless of the speed of the cars), the new lane splitting law applies only when cars are stopped in the same lane as the motorcyclist.

Under this new Arizona lane splitting law, motorcyclists can drive to the front of a stoplight, for example, so they are not sandwiched between two cars at a red light. (As motorcycle accident attorneys, we can verify that this is a frequent spot for motorcycle accidents to occur.) However, this law does not legalize any motorcyclist’s reckless maneuvering between cars on busy interstates.

What Does the Lane Splitting Law Mean for Arizona Drivers?

We have now covered the ins and outs of lane splitting made legal in Arizona: what does it mean? So, here are some additional points to note:

• Lane filtering at stoplights. This law allows for lane filtering, which refers to a motorcyclist’s ability to ride between cars. However, this is only permitted at stoplights when traffic is completely stopped.
• Only at slow speeds. This law only applies to roads where the speed limit is 45 miles per hour or slower. Furthermore, motorcycle riders are only able to travel at 15 miles per hour, and going faster could result in a traffic citation.
• It’s not in effect yet. You won’t notice lane filterers just yet, as the law goes into effect 90 days after the state legislature adjourns, which usually takes place in April.

Top-Rated Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Phoenix, AZ

This new Arizona lane splitting law hopes to limit the number of motorcycle accidents in the Grand Canyon State. Of course, some accidents are inevitable. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, you might be entitled to compensation.

Our legal team here at The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed will aggressively pursue your case and ensure you receive the maximum allowable compensation. Give us a call or contact our team for a free, no-obligation consultation today.