Research Paper On Lane Splitting

Emma Pedlar
English 151
Alisa Klinger
7 December 2014

Risks of the Fast Lane California is currently the only state in the United States that allows motorcycles to lane split. Lane splitting is an act that motorcyclists perform in order to reach their destination quicker and more efficiently. It has proven to be somewhat beneficial in regards to the amount of traffic and environmental benefits, but it can have severe consequences when done inappropriately or when caught in the wrong situation. Although it may prove to be quicker than sitting through stop and go traffic and has some benefits to the act, lane splitting in California should be made illegal because it causes high risk of injury, can cause further accidents, and costs the state
According to the National Safety Council, approximately 90% of all motorcycle accidents result in injury or death (Motorcycle Safety). Lane splitting is performed in close proximity to cars, making themselves sometimes difficult to see, or unnoticeable to other vehicles whom do not always expect another vehicle to pass them on the road. While roadways are becoming more congested, lane splitting among motorcyclists is following a similar trend, and becoming more popular. It allows them to weave through traffic faster and more efficiently than other automobiles such as cars or trucks. Although accidents may not always be the sole reason of an accident, lane splitting does not help the cause. Drivers can be unpredictable and can change lanes at a blink of the eye with lack of using some sort of signal before doing so. Even with a signal, lane changes made by cars can happen very quickly and unexpectedly. Drivers are often times unable to see a relatively small motorcycle trying to shorten their commute by weaving through traffic. Motorcyclists are becoming too comfortable driving in between cars at high speeds, or simply, at much higher speeds than the surrounding cars around them. Motorcyclists are informed by word of mouth, that if they are to lane change, to do so in the furthermost left lanes, rather than on the right. In addition to all the risks motorcyclists face, if they decide to
Emissions are released at all times while cars and motorcycles are on, which results in a poorer environment over time. By cutting driving times for all automobiles on the road, it could even benefit our environment. Some drivers become aggravated when a motorcycle cuts in front or passes. When drivers become angry and try to prevent motorcyclists from lane splitting, it can create even greater danger than if the motorcyclists were to perform the action as normal. However, drivers should stay calm because the lane splitting motorcyclists can actually be benefitting the drivers by decreasing travel time, decreasing the amount of traffic congestion, and helping the