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The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Motorcycle Safety Program (MSP) Unit is charged with co-leading and participating in a specific strategic highway safety plan. In conjunction with traffic safety stakeholders, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the California Department of Transportation (CDOT), and the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the MSP Unit is developing action items to help keep motorcycles safe on California roadways.
Motorcycle Statistics In California
Data from the California Office of Traffic Safety reveals that motorcycle fatalities remain a safety concern in California, with hundreds of deaths occurring annually. Despite substantial advances in motorcycle and vehicle safety, these deaths continue to rise. The death toll for motorcyclists is high, considering all factors.
California Motorcycle Safety Info
Lane Splitting
One common safety concern that specifically pertains to motorcyclists is lane splitting. Lane splitting occurs when motorcyclists drive between lanes of traffic, usually when other vehicles have slowed.
Effective January 1, 2017, Section 21658.1 was added to the California Vehicle Code describing the laws regarding lane splitting. Here is section 21658.1 in its entirety:
21658.1 (a) For the purposes of this section, “lane splitting” means driving a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, that has two wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided streets, roads, or highways.
(b) The Department of the California Highway Patrol may develop educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that can help keep the motorcyclist and the drivers and passengers of the surrounding vehicles safe.
(c) In developing guidelines pursuant to this section, the department shall consult with agencies and organizations with an interest in road safety and motorcyclist behavior, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
- The Department of Motor Vehicles
- The Department of Transportation
- The Office of Traffic Safety
- A motorcycle organization focused on motorcyclist safety
Motorcycle accident attorneys can evaluate these safety guidelines when managing cases for victims.
Lane Splitting Safety Tips
Disclaimer: Lane splitting is a potentially hazardous practice, and extreme caution should be exercised. Inexperienced motorcycle riders should not participate in lane splitting. To assist riders in lane splitting, the following general safety tips should be followed. Keep in mind, they are not guaranteed to protect against death or serious injury. Each rider should carefully consider their circumstances and make informed decisions about lane splitting.
- Take into account the entire environment when you are lane splitting (such as the width of lanes and the size of surrounding vehicles, in addition to the current road, weather, and lighting conditions).
- The risk of injury or death increases at higher speed differentials.
- The risk of injury or death increases as overall speed increases.
- Generally, it is safer to split between the far left lanes than between any of the other lanes of traffic.
- Lane splitting should be avoided when next to large vehicles, such as big rigs, buses, motorhomes, and construction equipment.
- Riding on the shoulder is not considered lane splitting but is illegal.
- Stay out of the blind spots of other vehicles and avoid lingering between vehicles.
- You can help other motorists see you by wearing brightly colored/reflective protective gear and using high beams even during daylight hours.
As per California Vehicle Code Section 21658.1, lane splitting is defined as driving a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, that has two wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided streets, roads, or highways. Motorcycle injury attorneys consider this regulation, and other related ones, when handling such cases.
What Other Motorists Need To Know About Lane Splitting
- In California, the practice of lane splitting by motorcyclists is legal.
- It is illegal to intentionally block or impede a motorcyclist in a manner that can cause harm to the rider.
- It is also unlawful to open a vehicle door to impede a motorcyclist.
- Motorists in the far-left lane should move to the left of their lane to give motorcyclists plenty of room to pass.
Read more in our Motorcyclist’s Guide to Safe Lane-Splitting.
Safety Tips All Motorists Should Practice
Safety should be the main priority for motorcyclists and all motorists on California roads. If you drive a motorcycle, you can help keep everyone on the road safe by doing the following:
- Check mirrors and blind spots, especially before changing lanes or making a turn.
- Use your turn signal to indicate your planned maneuvers before changing lanes or merging with other lanes of traffic.
- Stay vigilant and anticipate potential actions by other drivers on the road.
- Don’t drive while impaired by drugs, alcohol, or even fatigue.
- Share the road and extend courtesy to other motorists whenever possible.
A Word About Helmets
Despite multiple attempts to repeal California’s motorcycle helmet law and replace it with a law that requires only those under the age of 18 to wear a United States Department of Transportation-compliant helmet, helmets are still legally mandated for all motorcyclists. Since January 1, 1992, motorcyclists have had to obey this law or face the consequences. Proponents of an appeal argue that helmet use is a matter of personal choice, but opponents point out that it ignores the statistics that support helmet use and that helmets significantly help reduce the risk of head injury for riders of all ages. As risks are common, victims need to understand their rights, and motorcycle accident lawyers can provide legal guidance.
Remember These Safety Points
All drivers on California roads have an obligation to drive responsibly and safely. Always use common courtesy and stay alert. These may help prevent avoidable motorcycle incidents such as failure-to-yield accidents. Additionally, motorcyclists can help minimize their risk of injury and death by wearing a helmet and other safety gear, as well as never getting on their bikes while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The DMV offers many safety tips for motorcycle riders. In addition, remember:
- Watch your speed, as motorcycle collisions are more likely to cause injury or death than a speeding-related accident involving other types of vehicles.
- Assume people in cars do not see you.
- Avoid blind spots in other vehicles, especially those of large trucks.
- Watch “Thrill? Or Buzz Kill?”, a motorcycle safety video produced by the CHP.
For more information on how to sign up for motorcycle training, visit the California Motorcyclist Safety Program or call 1-877-RIDE-411.
Injured In A Crash? Call An Experienced California Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If other vehicles were ignoring the rules of the road, driving too fast for conditions, or preventing you from lane splitting and causing your accident, you may have grounds for seeking compensation for the resulting damage. Contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation with an experienced California motorcycle accident lawyer.
Our dedicated motorcycle and car accident lawyers have decades of collective experience handling traffic-related accident cases of victims across California, including places such as San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, Sherman Oaks, San Diego, and Sacramento.
