Can motorcyclists legally split lanes on NC roads? What the state law says
It’s no secret that traffic in North Carolina can get pretty backed up. Whether you’re heading to work, running errands, or commuting home, it can be tempting for some drivers to want to cut in and out of lanes to make it to their destination.
It’s common to see motorcyclists ride between cars in the same lane to cut through traffic, also known as lane splitting. But is that allowed?
In some states, it’s legal for bikers to weave in and out of rows of stopped or moving cars on streets, roads, or highways, but that’s not the case in North Carolina.
What NC law says about lane splitting
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, state law does not explicitly address lane splitting but prohibits lane sharing.
“A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety,” the state law says.
Motorcyclists and bicyclists often share lanes with other cars in heavy, bumper-to-bumper traffic when turning at an intersection or exiting on a highway. While it may help cut down time spent in traffic, lane sharing can also be dangerous.
“Cars and motorcycles need a full lane to operate safely,” the North Carolina Department of Transportation Motorcyclists’ Handbook states. “Riding between rows of stopped or moving cars in the same lane can leave you vulnerable to the unexpected. A hand could come out of a window; a door could open; a car could turn suddenly.”
Is lane splitting legal outside of NC?
Other states, including California, Montana, and Utah, have laws allowing motorcyclists to move between vehicles on the road, but with specific regulations. But in North Carolina, lane sharing is usually prohibited, according to NCDOT.
“The act of motorcycle lane splitting subjects the motorcycle driver to a myriad of differing interpretations of traffic laws,” Sgt. Marcus Bethea with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol told The Charlotte Observer. “No single instance of lane splitting will necessarily involve the same circumstances as the next.”
The Motorcyclists Handbook suggests bikers should keep their distance and maintain a center-portion position whenever drivers might be tempted to squeeze by.
“We again advise motorcyclists to refrain from the practice of lane splitting and, rather, ensure that proper lane control is maintained at all times,” Bethea said. “Refrain from passing vehicles in no-passing zones and remember that North Carolina traffic laws do not prioritize passage by way of lane splitting over one’s obligation to properly yield the right of way to other surrounding vehicles.”
This story was originally published September 18, 2023 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Can motorcyclists legally split lanes on NC roads? What the state law says."
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