Is Lane Splitting Legal in Alabama?

There is no shortage of reasons why people choose to ride motorcycles. For one, they are typically much less expensive than cars to buy and maintain, and they usually have much better fuel mileage as well. Riding a motorcycle is also something many find to be a lot of fun, particularly in locations with flat open roads and nice weather most of the year. Alabama is an example of the latter, but circumstances won’t always work out in your favor. During heavy traffic, for example, you could find yourself stuck behind a line of vehicles moving at a snail’s pace.

Understandably, slow speeds can take a lot of joy out of the experience of riding a motorcycle. In some states, riders tend to get around the problem by doing something known as lane splitting. But the key phrase there is “in some states,” which begs the question: Is lane splitting legal in Alabama?

What Is Lane Splitting?

To answer the question posed above, you first need to understand what lane splitting is. It is a driving technique performed exclusively by motorcyclists driving on multi-lane roads. They drive along the middle line between two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction. In other words, they are effectively using that center line as a separate lane in and of itself. To reiterate, lane splitting is exclusively reserved for multi-lane roads; if a road has two lanes, one traveling in each direction, riding on the dividing line is not lane splitting. It is just illegal and dangerous.

Lane splitting involves driving on the center line that divides two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction.

Difference Between Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering

Another key characteristic of lane splitting is that it involves riding between two lanes of moving traffic. If traffic has stopped, driving on the middle line between two lanes of traffic is known as lane filtering. The difference between the two is, indeed, subtle, and it only truly matters in a few states where lane filtering is legal but lane splitting is illegal.

Is Lane Splitting Safe?

There is no definitive answer to be found regarding the safety of lane splitting, but as a general rule, riding a motorcycle can be very dangerous. Motorcycles have almost no safety equipment compared to cars, and they are also quite a bit smaller than their automobile counterparts. That, in turn, means that people driving trucks and cars are less likely to see motorcycles, which is what often leads to motorcycle accidents. If other drivers aren’t familiar with lane splitting rules, they may not even think to look for motorcycles moving between traffic. As a result, they could swerve slightly, even while staying within their lane, and strike a motorcycle in the process.

Were you or a loved one seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Alabama? Contact the experienced motorcycle accident lawyers at Caldwell Wenzel & Asthana, PC, at (251) 444-7000 to schedule a free consultation today.

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Alabama?

Alabama is very explicit about how motorcycles are to operate on public roads. First, motorcycles are entitled to full use of their lane. They may not overtake another vehicle within the lane or by riding on a lane line. Similarly, another vehicle may not overtake a motorcycle within the lane or by riding on a lane line. In short, lane splitting is explicitly illegal in Alabama.

However, there are two exceptions to these rules. The first applies to motorcyclists riding abreast. While motorcycles are granted full use of their lane, if both riders are willing, up to two motorcycles may ride next to each other in a single lane. That does not mean one rider can pass another who happens to be traveling alone, nor does it allow a rider to move alongside another without permission. Furthermore, three or more motorcycles cannot ride beside one another in a single lane. The other exception applies to police officers who are riding motorcycles in the performance of their official duties. They can violate the state’s motorcycle statutes as necessary to perform their duties.

Consequences of Lane Splitting in Alabama

There are several potential consequences of lane splitting in Alabama. For most people, the most serious of these is the potential of getting into a motorcycle accident with another vehicle. When you drive on the middle line between lanes of traffic, you increase your chances of getting into an accident with one of the vehicles you are passing. Motorcycle accidents are usually quite serious for the motorcycle rider; in the worst-case scenario, you could be killed. And even if you aren’t, you are likely to suffer spinal cord injuries, broken bones, or traumatic brain injuries. Even worse, because you were lane-splitting, you would likely be ruled at fault for the accident. Depending on your insurance policy, that could severely limit how much compensation you are entitled to, making it difficult to recover from your injuries.

But what if the other driver was at fault? Unfortunately, the way Alabama contributory negligence rules work, it is almost impossible for you to obtain compensation from another driver if you were violating the law. Even if the other driver were almost entirely at fault (say, for instance, if they were drunk), you’d still be prohibited from obtaining any compensation if you were even slightly at fault.

Finally, even if you are lucky enough to avoid an accident, there are still legal consequences to be wary of for lane splitting in Alabama. If a police officer sees you lane splitting, they are likely to pull you over and give you a ticket, potentially for reckless driving. That may seem like a relatively minor consequence, but repeated tickets can result in your losing your license. Additionally, depending on what the rules are for your insurance policy, getting even a single ticket may result in significant increases in your insurance premiums. People with perfect driving records often save hundreds or thousands of dollars every year.

Contact Our Law Firm Today

Alabama motorcycle operating rules are quite clear about whether lane splitting is legal. If you were involved in an accident that involved lane splitting, you should consult with a lawyer immediately.

Don’t wait after getting seriously injured in an accident in Alabama. Contact our law firm at (251) 444-7000 to discuss your legal options with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.