Anderson Injury Lawyers | August 19, 2025 | Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists often face unique safety challenges in traffic. Lane splitting and lane filtering are two techniques used to navigate congested roads more efficiently. While both practices can reduce traffic buildup and help riders avoid dangerous rear-end collisions, they are not legal everywhere in the United States.
If you ride in Texas, knowing where these maneuvers are allowed and the rules you must follow in those jurisdictions is important.
What Is Lane Splitting?
Lane splitting is when a motorcycle moves between slow-moving or stopped traffic lanes. It’s most common on highways and during traffic jams. Riders use the space between cars to pass through congested areas instead of staying behind other vehicles.
Supporters say lane splitting is actually safer and beneficial because it can reduce congestion and help motorcyclists maintain a safer speed in traffic. Opponents worry it increases the risk of motorcycle accidents if drivers don’t expect a bike to pass between lanes.
What Is Lane Filtering?
Lane filtering is similar but typically happens at lower speeds, often at stoplights or in heavy city traffic. Motorcycles move between stopped vehicles to reach the front of the line before traffic starts moving again.
The main difference between lane splitting and lane filtering is speed. Lane filtering occurs at slower speeds, while lane splitting is more often used on highways with moving traffic.
States Where Lane Splitting or Filtering Is Legal
Only a handful of states currently allow lane splitting or filtering, and the rules vary. Some states permit both maneuvers, while others only allow filtering under specific circumstances.
These states include, but are not limited to, the following:
- California: Lane splitting is explicitly legal and regulated by state guidelines. For example, riders are still encouraged to maintain “reasonable speeds.”
- Utah: Allows lane filtering at intersections when traffic is stopped. Motorcycles must be traveling at 15 mph or less.
- Montana: Legalizes lane filtering at speeds up to 20 mph when traffic is stopped or slow-moving.
- Arizona: Permits lane filtering on roads with a speed limit of 45 mph or less when traffic is stopped. Motorcycles must not exceed 15 mph.
As of August 2025, the vast majority of states still make lane splitting and filtering illegal.
What Texas Riders Should Know
In Texas, lane splitting and lane filtering are not currently legal. Motorcyclists must remain in their lane and follow the same traffic rules as other vehicles. Riders caught lane splitting can face traffic citations and fines, possibly leading to increased insurance costs as well.
While legislation has been proposed in past years to legalize lane filtering under specific conditions, none have passed. This means Texas riders who want to use these techniques must travel to a state where they are allowed and follow that state’s laws carefully.
Contact a Fort Worth Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Anderson Injury Lawyers for Legal Help After a Crash
Lane splitting laws can be confusing, and a crash involving this maneuver can quickly turn into a dispute over liability. In Texas, insurance companies may try to use that fact against you since lane splitting is still prohibited. In states where it’s legal, the rules can still be complex and depend on specific circumstances.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, get legal advice right away. A lawyer can examine the details of the crash and push back against any allegations of contributory fault on your behalf.
Contact a motorcycle accident attorney at Anderson Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today.
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
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