Several weeks ago, we wrote about how lane splitting can help reduce carbon emissions and the severity of traffic. However, recent research shows that lane splitting can also improve motorcycle safety. In a recent study by the University of California Berkeley, researchers found that lane splitting, the practice of motorcyclists cutting through slow moving traffic, is actually safe in some conditions.

The study reviewed almost 6,000 motorcycle accidents between June 2012 and August 2013, 997 in which motorcyclists were lane splitting. According to the UC Berkeley study, lane splitting is safe when done in traffic moving 50 mph or slower, and only if motorcyclists do not exceed the speed of surrounding vehicles by more than 15 mph. Researchers found that 69 percent of the motorcycle accidents involving lane splitting happened when motorcyclists exceeded the 15 mph threshold for surrounding traffic.

Data from the study shows that compared to riders who were not splitting, lane-splitting motorcyclists were less likely to suffer from brain injuries, torso injuries, or other potentially fatal injuries. In addition to reducing the likelihood of catastrophic injuries during motorcycle accidents, lane-splitting motorcyclists were less likely to be involved in rear-end accidents.

Is Lane Splitting Legal Anywhere In The U.S.?

While lane splitting is commonplace in other countries, it remains illegal in every U.S. state except California. In other parts of the U.S., the practice is routinely targeted by law enforcement. For example, the New York Police Department recently caused a traffic jam on the Long Island Expressway in an attempt to catch lane-splitting motorcyclists.

Continue following our motorcycle accident blog for regular updates on topics covering motorcycle safety.

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