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Splittin' lanes in Texas

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 1:10 pm
by eugeart
Hey guys,

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. School's been a bear but I'm done for the semester!

One little paragraph in the latest issue of cycle world lit up my mind. Lane splitting in Texas legal?!

Sure enough:
79R517 JRJ-D

By: Griggs H.B. No. 1522


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.
Man, now I can get to the head of the light In rush hour. I've always wondered if it was safe though since cage drivers are predictable as in the sense that they are totally unpredictable at times.

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 2:29 pm
by CNF2002
Thats great news! Now they need to advertise it on billboards and TV commercials so these self-righteous drivers dont try to slam into us while we're filtering to the front.

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 3:18 pm
by jmillheiser
FYI that bill never made it out of commitee.

CW made an error with that posting.

chech out the TX legislature site and look up that bill.

Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2005 3:21 pm
by jmillheiser

laws for Texas lane splitting

Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2005 9:46 pm
by coupe1942
By the time a person figured out if they met all the criteria listed there, the state would have already closed the road down for repairs. Shoot, he could already be drawing his social security checks as well. :-)

Actually, having such a law on the books does not reduce the potential for injury in using it. Getting a settlement for such an injury may be much harder than simply sitting in traffic and waiting your turn to move.

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:24 pm
by eugeart
I actually splitted lanes today in the worst traffic Texas can throw at a man. IH-35 in downtown Austin was a miles-long parking lot. I saved myself alot of time and really it seemed safe- so long as I kept the lookout for the cagers doing the stupid.

I'm disapointed too. I don't like breaking the law. I know it sounds a little goody-goody but I've been to the other side and I prefer it where I am now thank you very much.

So, lets pray for the bill to actually get enacted. I think it was a great experience and I got zero negative response from the cagers too. I imagine they wished they could do the same.

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:34 pm
by jmillheiser
I dont see an issues with splitting, but only at low speed. Seems like a good thing in bumper to bumper traffic. High speed splitting to me just seems like a stupid squid stunt.

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:56 pm
by eugeart
I've seen some video of people splitting lanes at highway speeds in California. Makes my skin crawl. All it takes is one slip-up and you're done.

I'll stick to traffic jams if it becomes legal.