Injury Lawyer Warns Of Dangerous Summer for Bikers As Most Drivers and Motorcyclists Are Unaware Lane Splitting is Legal

    LOS ANGELES, CA, June 06, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- According to a new study that was recently released, motorcycle injury attorney, Michael P. Ehline (www.ehlinelaw.com), believes it is important for drivers and motorcyclists to be aware of concerns lane splitting on the roadways in California, especially since summer is fast approaching. Also, gas prices are higher than ever, and it is well known that motorcycles are cheap to own and drive compared to a car. They are also a fun way to get around the crowded beach communities, and surface streets, as well as the freeways, in the Golden State during summertime. But a 2012 Lane Splitting study (Click Here to See the Study) was done by the Office of Traffic Safety, who surveyed motor vehicle drivers and motorcyclists. They interviewed 733 auto drivers and 560 motorcyclists in March, and found that only 53 percent knew that lane splitting in California is legal.

Seven Percent of Vehicle Operators Have Tried to Prevent Lane Splitting

Out of the number of motorcyclists that were interviewed, approximately 87 percent said that while they knew that lane splitting on the roadways of California is permitted they do split lanes. Seven percent of motor vehicle drivers that were interviewed said that they have attempted to prevent lane splitting. This absurd behavior admitted by 7 percent of drivers, means riders are in danger of a motorcycle crash, says attorney Ehline.

According to the Office of Traffic Safety spokesman Chris Cockran said that one of the reasons that drivers and even motorcyclists might not be aware of the lane splitting laws is, because law enforcement is actually silent about it. Cockran said that the only place that it may be talked about is within motorcyclist groups.

The California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies are reminding motorists in Caltrans freeway electronic messages to "Share the Road", during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

California Highway Patrol officials explain the lane splitting law as motorcycles have the ability to travel faster in traffic congestion and are legally permitted to split lanes, by riding in the unused space between two lanes of moving or stationary traffic. The one thing that CHP warns is that the motorcyclist cannot ride between the yellow lines.

According to Robert Gladden of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, splitting lanes is not something that is recommended, but riders are going to do it. Gladden said motorcyclists splitting lanes are decreasing the amount of safe time they have, and their "space cushion". He also said that drivers are becoming more distracted and need to focus on the roadway and traffic around them. Rather than talking on cell phones, which has become one of the increased statistic factors in freeway accidents and fatalities.

The Office of Traffic Safety said that during 2010 motorcycle fatalities decreased approximately 10 percent, from 394 in 2009 to 352 in 2010. According to Cochran said that in 243 of the accidents the motorcyclist was at fault. California Highway Patrol Officer Gabe Montoya said that lane splitting is risky when the motorcyclist is traveling 10 mph or more than the flow of traffic.

Officer Montoya said that while it is legal to split lanes in California it has to be done safely and the rider can be in violation if traveling at a speed that is significantly faster than traffic the biker is moving through. One of the reasons that CHP Officer Montoya said it is dangerous is that the biker is not giving drivers time to see them before making a lane change or other traffic maneuver that could result in a deadly crash. In closing, it is important for people to know the law and to look out for motorcycles, and "respect their right to split lanes", said Ehline. If you would like to learn more about California motorcycle laws, contact Ehline Law Firm PC at 213.596.9642. Connect Here: WWW.EHLINELAW.COM. Call for a free legal consultation.

Highly experienced experts in California tort law. Former law review member writes articles about personal injury issues under California tort laws, such as wrongful death and battery claims as well as negligence issues.

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