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Could Lane Splitting be a Factor in Motorcycle Accidents?

California motorcycle accident lawyers have been very concerned at the high number of motorcycle accident fatalities in our state. A report in Tennews.com offers clues as to why motorcycle deaths may have been increasing the way they have.

It’s not just in California that motorcycle accident deaths have continued their upward trend. Last month, the annual fatality report was released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The report revealed that while highway fatality rates involving other types of accidents, including motor vehicle accidents and pedestrian accidents have been dropping steadily, the numbers for motorcycle accident deaths are actually increasing. These numbers have been increasing over the past 11 years. In 2008, motorcycle accident fatalities accounted for about 14 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Those are scary numbers. California is a motorcyclist’s paradise, and our state has always been welcoming to those who prefer the freedom and exhilaration of getting around on two wheels. This also means that California is at a higher risk for such accidents and the catastrophic injuries and deaths that result from these accidents.

A report on Tennews.com offers some clues to why motorcycle accident deaths are rising the way they are in California. According to the report, the practice of lane splitting by motorcyclists may increase the risk of an accident. Lane splitting is also known as high lining, and is the practice of motorcycling right next to a car in a single lane, or in between two cars traveling side by side. It’s a practice that’s extremely popular with motorcyclists, but has motorists rankled. It’s also a practice that is prohibited in all other states, except ours. Lane splitting is legal in California, and according to the California Highway Patrol, such riding behavior is perfectly safe when a motorcyclist is traveling at or below 12 mph.  The CHP says lane splitting is dangerous only when a motorcyclist rides at high speeds.

It’s not hard to understand that motorists are concerned by this behavior, but as CHP officers and motorcyclists themselves tell you, lane splitting is safe even in heavy traffic conditions, as long as motorists keep to the 12mph speed limit. Unfortunately, there are far too many motorcyclists on the road who treat their powerful machines like toys. These motorcyclists indulge in stunts, riding at high speeds between two cars, changing lanes abruptly and indulging in other dangerous behaviors that highly increase the risk of an accident.

According to the CHP, the law creates a safe environment, but there are too many motorcyclists out there who display reckless behavior with serious consequences, usually to themselves. According to the report, a majority of San Diego residents believe that lane splitting should be illegal. A poll revealed that 63 percent believe lane splitting should be banned in California, while 32 percent are for it. In San Diego, 55 bikers died in motorcycle accidents in 2008.

Statewide, the number of people killed in these accidents was 560 in 2008, up dramatically from 518 in 2007. In fact, the numbers for motorcycle fatalities have been increasing steadily over the past 5 years. The number of fatalities was 432 in 2004, 469 in 2005 and 506 in 2006, showing a steady and disturbing upward curve.

The Reeves Law Group is a law firm with offices throughout California dedicated exclusively to the representation of personal injury victims, including victims of motorcycle accidents. Please visit our website at trlglaw.com. If you desire a free consultation on a personal injury matter, please call us at (800) 644-8000 or email us.

The Reeves Law Group is not acting as legal counsel for any party in the matters discussed in this posting.

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