Lane splitting in TX

[sdlrodeo]

Ok, I know this has probably been beaten like the proverbial dead horse, but in light of cdc's recent transgressions, I just read this:

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.

AMA says:
Lane Splitting Not referenced in Administrative Code or Statutes

I'm still digging...
Steve

[Giannis]

Drivers will kill you here in Texas if you try to co between them.. ask me how i know that...

[sdlrodeo]

On another blog I found this written after the same text:

**UPDATE** Unfortunately, with school finance reform and a host of other things on Texas lawmakers' plates, this bill never made it out of committee.

Ok, so what I've dug up is that no the above law was not passed, (duh 2005?) but on the other hand, it is not prohibited. Any Moto-Lawyers out there?
Steve

[svoloch]

yes, when I moved here from California ( where lane splitting is merely a fact of life ), I split a lane or two not even wondering if people do it, it was so built into my riding mentality ( in California, also, we just slide up to the front of the line of cars at a red light, and pull out in front when it goes green ).  Well, it was made quite clear to me that it is NOT done in Texas, and among the more vociferous shouts, swearing, and door opening/slamming, was the ever so subtle threat to blow my make the beast with two backsing head off if I ever got in front of HER again.  

welcome to Texas!!

[sdlrodeo]

Sounds like a challenge!
Steve

[caffeinejunkee]

On another blog I found this written after the same text:

**UPDATE** Unfortunately, with school finance reform and a host of other things on Texas lawmakers' plates, this bill never made it out of committee.

Ok, so what I've dug up is that no the above law was not passed, (duh 2005?) but on the other hand, it is not prohibited. Any Moto-Lawyers out there?
Steve

I'd have to look it up, but the last time we "discussed" this I thought the part of Texas law cited restricts only one vehicle per lane at the same time (side-by-side, of course). Since I also believe you can't ride the line, that would mean lane splitting is illegal.

[Slag]

I can say with 100% certainty that the police ticket you for lane splitting. What you are charged with depends on the creativity of the officer. The incident that I witnessed involved 4 tickets. One was failure to follow a traffic control device, You can drive between the lines, but not on them. The second was failure to yield ( 2 counts, one for each car.) I do not remember what the 4th ticket was for.

I will pull out my traffic code when I get back home.

[Slag]

I'd have to look it up, but the last time we "discussed" this I thought the part of Texas law cited restricts only one vehicle per lane at the same time (side-by-side, of course). Since I also believe you can't ride the line, that would mean lane splitting is illegal.

I believe that the traffic code does allow motorcycles to ride side by side in the same lane.

[cdc]

Other transgressions aside, for the record, I was not lane splitting, merely doing a succession of lane changes in a rapid fashion.  

I call it traffic splitting.  Truth is, I would not imagine myself lane splitting because being between cars for any period of time makes me nervous even when they are on their own lanes and I am in mine.  That is why I prefer to have the cars behind me and at a distance which forces me to "traffic split" among other transgressions.  There!  That sounds much better.   [moto]

Besides, we have those reflective dots on the road between lanes which are big enough to upset the bike if you hit them.  Makes true lane splitting a complicated matter.

cdc

[caffeinejunkee]

I believe that the traffic code does allow motorcycles to ride side by side in the same lane.

I can't find anything in the traffic code that "allows" for this, but I can't find anything that prohibits it.

In the DPS handbook for scooters, motorcycle operators are discouraged from sharing lanes with other bikes, but it does not cite it as "illegal." However, I've not heard of anyone ticketed for motorcycle lane sharing.

[fastwin]

It's really too bad that this can't happen here. And if it does just how many riders will be killed in the rightful process? The only time I have been to Europe was in 1989 on a bike tour through Switzerland, France and Northern Italy. Awesome. But what blew me away was the car drivers reaction to me and other bikers. Over there we rule the road and are respected. They want us to pass them whenever possible regardless of it being in the middle of a blind turn! And you are expected to lane split and go to the front at an intersection because they know you will blast off and get ahead of the four wheel traffic. How f#@king civilized is that??? Too bad that mentality will never work over here!! Again, no matter of the law change, just how many riders will be killed during the auto driver education? Hell, they can't seem to drive now with cell phones, texting and all the other distractions. Just how much more dangerous does it need to get?

[pipeliner1978]

not that I condone such "transgressions" but if I were to ever "split traffic" (not that have ever done so) I would rather do it at 90 than 20!  People sitting in traffic are pissed and bored! I'm not going through them!  But, buzz a car doing 70 at 90 and they never see you coming until you are past them, again,  I'm not speaking from experience...

[fastwin]

You know, I agree. I too think it's better at high speed. But you go first and I will see how they react before I do it! Drivers in this town (make that DFW) are the worst I have ever seen. I almost got hit a few weeks ago by a gal in a mini SUV not once but twice in less than a mile! She was absorbed in texting on her phone and could not keep her car in her lane... ever! She paid absolutely no attention to her driving at all. She waivered in her lane like a drunk and twice I had to hit the horn and veer into the next lane big time to avoid her hitting me. Worst part, she didn't give a shit how she was driving. I guess that's why 3/4s of her car was beat up from accidents!

[pipeliner1978]

yeah, newer car with multiple dings = get the hell outa the way!!!

[Giannis]

This is how you lane split    everything the same other than  we dont usally blow red lights...