Lane splitting guidelines removed by CA CHP

[arjayes]

Interesting development:

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Motorcyclists-revved-up-about-removal-of-5642436.php

There have been a few lane-splitting deaths in CA in recent weeks, which may have prompted this. But it's a strange response by the CHP. I don't see how less clarity in this situation is better than more clarity.

 

[coastie]

Because lawyers are probably using it against the CHP in court.

 

[tomatocity]

Because lawyers are probably using it against the CHP in court.

Agree... or Jerry Brown wants to be... well you understand.

 

[Bushyar15]

Well at least they just removed the "guidelines" as opposed to banning it. I wish they allowed it here in Colorado. Travel on the highway from the mountains on a Sunday afternoon is horrendous.

I used to live in SoCal. I worked in the South Bay and lived in the Valley. Being able to split lanes really cut down on my commute time. In my 15 years living/riding there, never had a close call splitting lanes...

 

[Chuck B]

I split traffic for 15+ yrs in NorCal...did it on everything from a Motard to K1200LT. Never had an issue. Best guideline is 'safe and prudent for the conditions'. We came close to approving lane sharing here in Az a couple yrs ago but our governor (correctly) veto'd the bill as it only allowed lane sharing in 2 counties. Should be state wide or nothing...

 

[AVGeek]

Full story and petition to have them re-instated here:

http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/News/14-07-22/AMA_petition_calls_for_return_of_lane-splitting_guidelines_to_California_government_websites_offices.aspx

 

[Don in Lodi]

I think I read that they had ONE written complaint and took them down. The knee jerk society we live in these days... :'(

 

[AVGeek]

I think I read that they had ONE written complaint and took them down. The knee jerk society we live in these days... :'(

That is correct Don. My understanding of the story is that the complainant is either a current or former state employee who thought the guidelines were an "underground regulation" i.e. rules that had not been vetted by the legislative process. The California Office of Administrative Law agreed with him, and ordered CHP and others to remove the guidelines from publication (electronic and otherwise).

 

[coastie]

I wonder if the state will pull the guidelines on how people prepare and respond in the case of an earthquake? I'm a federal employee who actually works in contingency preparedness, I guess probably legally, its illegal for us to put out guidelines on safety precautions people should take during hurricane season! Interesting point of view. Ill have to research this a bit.

 

[the dogs]

You call it Lane Splitting we call it Filtering. Filter is allowed in the UK and can be seen on Youtube regularly with Police be caught participating. Try watching Royal Jordanian, he is a master through the streets of London. Do I? Yes, every day. But I see many sat in lines of traffic that don't. I think it's down to confidence and experience.....................There are those that will and those that won't.

 

[tomatocity]

The legal name is "lane sharing". There is a lot of give to this law. We are really supposed to stay in the same lane and not wander back and forth between lanes. I have never seen anyone pulled over for lane splitting. My best lane splitting teacher was a CHP in Socal. He was riding between the Double Double lines. It is illegal to cross a Double Double (not an In-N-Out Burger) but it sure made stop n go LA traffic pass by quickly.