Does anyone know what the law is as far as lane splitting?

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im not in Texas but did a little lookin and here is what i found. it was on another site so i dont if it is right or not but thought i would share it with ya.


This is hardly hot off the press, but I just read about it tonight. Texas passed a law allowing lane-splitting and lane-sharing as of September 1, 2005. Yeah, I’ve commented before, but this simply makes good sense in urban and suburban areas (especially) where traffic jam relief is needed.

In the past I might have wavered on its passing in Arizona for a couple reasons. The most significant being the large snow-bird population that represents both partial residents and old people who are not at their best in terms of driving habits. That said, I say screw it. Pass the law and live with the consequences.


Anyway, here’s the law (condensed):

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT
relating to the operation and movement of motorcycles during
periods of traffic congestion.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 545.060, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as
follows:
(a) An operator on a roadway divided into two or more
clearly marked lanes for traffic:
(1) shall drive as nearly as practical entirely within
a single lane, except as provided by Subsection (e); and
(2) may not move from the lane unless that movement can
be made safely.
(e) The operator of a motorcycle may operate the motorcycle
for a safe distance between lanes of traffic moving in the same
direction during periods of traffic congestion if the operator:
(1) is at least 21 years old;
(2) has successfully completed a motorcycle operator
training and safety course under Chapter 662;
(3) is covered by a health insurance plan providing
the operator with at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries
incurred as a result of an accident while operating a motorcycle;
and
(4) operates the motorcycle:
(A) at a speed not more than five miles per hour
over the speed of the other traffic;
(B) in traffic that is moving at a speed of 20
miles per hour or less; and
(C) in a location other than a school crossing
zone or other than a location where the posted speed limit is 20
miles per hour or less.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

That was a copy of a PROPOSED bill. It never passed.

The Texas Motorcycle Handbook says (page 16): Cars and motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely. Lane sharing is usually prohibited. Riding between rows of stopped or moving cars in the same lane can leave you vulnerable to the unexpected. A hand could come out of a window; a door could open; or a car could turn suddenly. Discourage lane sharing by others. Keep a center-portion position whenever drivers might be tempted to squeeze by you.

Lane sharing or splitting is NOT SPECIFICALLY LEGAL in Texas, but it is not specifically ILLEGAL, either.

Could you get a ticket for it? Probably, but the officer would not be able to reference code/statute violation. Could you fight it? Easily, since there is no real law that says you can't do it. Even the Handbook is vague. The American Motorcyclist Association says "Not referenced in statutes" for Texas.

Now, sharing really means two vehicle in a single lane. Let's say you're in heavy traffic, stop and go, and you weave the dotted line to the front of the line. Were you sharing, or were you making a boat-load of illegal lane changes?

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