During this week’s conversation with Deputy Police Chief Bryan Schowalter, we discuss motorcycle safety and what
riders and motorists need to know about Minnesota’s newly enacted law permitting motorcycle lane filtering and lane splitting.
“So, you know, when it comes to motorcycles, I would say the biggest thing to keep in mind is it’s just driver safety for non-motorcyclists. The biggest piece is just checking your blind spots, taking an extra moment before you change lanes, because we do find that, you know, the majority of accidents that take place between motorcycles and other vehicles, it comes down to one of two things: one, the driver of a standard vehicle, whether it be a car, a pickup, or whatever, didn’t check their blind spots or simply didn’t take the extra time to thoroughly examine the roadway, and then they end up cutting off a motorcyclist.
And then the other thing we find is motorcyclists; unfortunately, as many accidents take place because of the motorcyclists’ actions as they do from non-motorcyclists. I think all of us could say at some point in time we’ve witnessed a motorcyclist either driving excessively or slalom coursing through traffic, abrupt lane changes, and just making urgent or swift moves. So the biggest thing is slow down, be patient, and then just watch the roadway as you’re navigating these. So road safety is something that’s important for all of us. And unfortunately, when a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, the injuries are significantly worse because they don’t have the protection of the vehicle.”
As of July 1st, there were legislative changes about lane splitting and filtering. Can we talk about those?
“Yeah. So, you know, Minnesota is now kind of getting in line with a handful of other states regarding filtering or splitting. This is something very common on the West Coast and also very common in the South, where a motorcyclist is allowed to split traffic, which means they can drive between two vehicles that are traveling in the same direction. So the legislature did put together some rules in when…when lane splitting can be used, and you know two things are really the most important when it comes to that. As far as lane splitting goes, 25 miles an hour is the maximum speed you’re allowed to be traveling when lane splitting and also no more than 15 miles over the speed of existing traffic.
So keep in mind they can split traffic as long as they are going 25 miles an hour or less or no more than 15 miles an hour greater than traffic, so those are two of the main points that people have to understand. So if you’re driving down the road and you’re stuck in traffic, everyone’s moving slow, but then all of a sudden a motorcycle goes between you and the car next to you; that is now legal in the state of Minnesota.
There are some provisions in the new state statute that say you cannot lane split, and these ones are important because you cannot lane split when you are entering in or exiting a roundabout. You also cannot lane split while you are in a school zone or a work zone, and then also the last time is you can’t lane split while you’re either exiting or entering a highway. So if you’re on an off-ramp or on an on-ramp for the highways, you’re not allowed to lane split. So this will be something new. Obviously, drivers are going to see this, and they’re going to be like, “Hey, that motorcyclist can’t do this.” Well, just keep in mind: were they at 25 miles an hour or less, or were they 15 miles an hour or less than the existing traffic speed? So, it’ll be a change for everybody, but we’re becoming more in line with some other states, and once it becomes more common practice, it won’t be as shocking to motorists when they see it take place.”
And Bryan, if people wanted to go and find more information about this new legislative change, where should they go?
“You know, the best place to check on any state statute or any laws that exist in Minnesota, whether they be rules or statutes, the best place is to go to the Office of the Revisor website, and there is a spot on the website where you can type in a keyword like filtering or lane splitting, and it’ll bring you to the statutes that most commonly apply. So, the Office of the Revisor for the state of Minnesota is the best place to get that information.”
If you have a question for Deputy Police Chief Bryan Schowalter, email the news department at news@kdwa.com.
Links mentioned in this report can be found at KDWA.com.
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