Lane Splitting In Texas!!!

[OrangevaleFJR]

Good (if you live in Texas) news!

Quote:

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:

(snipped some non-motorcycle stuff.)

(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

© 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

 

[deanw]

Nope- died in committee.

https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/db2...ILLSUFFIX=01522

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Nope- died in committee.
https://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/db2...ILLSUFFIX=01522

darn liberal news sources

 

[Toecutter]

I don't think I'd buy a bike if I couldn't lane split. Lane splitting ROCKS! And CA has some sweet roads too. And, of course, those girls the Beach Boys sing about.

 

[gasman]

I don't think I'd buy a bike if I couldn't lane split. Lane splitting ROCKS! And CA has some sweet roads too. And, of course, those girls the Beach Boys sing about. 

Looks like you married one. JB

 

[BobbyBlue]

Shut up Dean !!! I'm goin with Orange's news...I'm a treehugger...and...uuumm...officer I'm savin gas...and I was only goin 5mph above everybody...and...and...did ya see Bubba open that truck door on me...and...oh...you gotta truck just like at at home huh? Sheeeiiit...well...thats a nice glock yer wearin'...an...an...

Bobby

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Just tell em that you started lane splitting because valley boys in CA started calling the rest of the States whimps for not lane splitting...heh...Texas being out done by California!!! You just couldn't let that happen! You had to show them Calornians that Texas riders are as good, and smart as them CA riders...Don't Mess With Texas

 

[Bounce]

We still have the "developed shoulder rule" in Texas. It's not lane splitting (which would have been effective this month if it had passed), but it works pretty well.

 

[Rogue]

We still have the "developed shoulder rule" in Texas. It's not lane splitting (which would have been effective this month if it had passed), but it works pretty well.

Whats that? If you work out and have "Developed Shoulders" the trooper won't F*** with you?

 

[zorkler]

no lane splitting in new york how the hell are you going to get anywhere

 

[Bounce]

Whats that? If you work out and have "Developed Shoulders" the trooper won't F*** with you? 

As always, free internet legal advise is neither free nor legal.

There's lots of stuff in this code dealing with traffic on multi-lane highways keeping right except to pass and so forth. The combination of highlighted areas works together for 2 purposes. Slow traffic on single-lane roads (per direction) are to move to a developed shoulder to allow other traffic around them. You, as other traffic, can move to a developed shoulder to pass when the other traffic (even on interstates) is obstructive in nature. In practice, that means not when the traffic is flowing at (or near) the posted limit, and (on interstates) it means that moving to the developed shoulder to bypass congestion is to be with the intent of taking the next exit. Make sure you know that, if stopped. If you see enforcement vehicles then taking the next exit is prudent. "Leap frogging" congestion on the interstate (hitting the developed shoulder and getting back onto the interstate instead of taking the next exit) can sometimes make you a target for those enforcement officials.

The short version:

1. on secondary roads, slower traffic should move to the developed shoulder to let you past.

2. on secondary roads, you can use the developed shoulder to pass a left-turning vehicle when you only have one marked lane in your direction.

3. you can move to the developed shoulder on an interstate when the main traffic is stopped (with the intent to take the next exit as your explanation if asked). keeping it to 25 mph (or under) on the shoulder and watch for self-appointed line blockers.

[Texas] TRANSPORTATION CODE - CHAPTER 545

TRANSPORTATION CODE

CHAPTER 545. OPERATION AND MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

§ 545.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "pass" or

"passing" used in reference to a vehicle means to overtake and

proceed past another vehicle moving in the same direction as the

passing vehicle or to attempt that maneuver.

§ 545.057. PASSING TO THE RIGHT. (a) An operator may

pass to the right of another vehicle only if conditions permit

safely passing to the right and:

(1) the vehicle being passed is making or about to make

a left turn; and

(2) the operator is:

(A) on a highway having unobstructed pavement not

occupied by parked vehicles and sufficient width for two or more

lines of moving vehicles in each direction; or

B on a one-way street or on a roadway having

traffic restricted to one direction of movement and the roadway is

free from obstructions and wide enough for two or more lines of

moving vehicles

( B ) An operator may not pass to the right by leaving the main

traveled portion of a roadway except as provided by Section

545.058.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

§ 545.058. DRIVING ON IMPROVED SHOULDER[0]. (a) An

operator may drive on an improved shoulder[0] to the right of the main

traveled portion of a roadway if that operation is necessary and may

be done safely, but only:

(1) to stop, stand, or park;

(2) to accelerate before entering the main traveled

lane of traffic;

(3) to decelerate before making a right turn;

(4) to pass another vehicle that is slowing or stopped

on the main traveled portion of the highway, disabled, or preparing

to make a left turn;

(5) to allow another vehicle traveling faster to pass;

(6) as permitted or required by an official

traffic-control device; or

(7) to avoid a collision.

( B ) An operator may drive on an improved shoulder[0] to the

left of the main traveled portion of a divided or limited-access or

controlled-access highway if that operation may be done safely, but

only:

(1) to slow or stop when the vehicle is disabled and

traffic or other circumstances prohibit the safe movement of the

vehicle to the shoulder[0] to the right of the main traveled portion of

the roadway;

(2) as permitted or required by an official

traffic-control device; or

(3) to avoid a collision.

© A limitation in this section on driving on an improved

shoulder[0] does not apply to:

(1) an authorized emergency vehicle responding to a

call;

(2) a police patrol; or

(3) a bicycle.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

 

[zorkler]

yes they got me on the garden stste pkwy last month the traffic was backed for 8 miles and it was super hot out that day ( my error for useing that pkwy on a saturday) the shoulder on the g/s/p/ is very wide and much safer then splitting . 3 miles into it there they were 2 tropper cars 1 giving a ticket and 1 waiting to pull me over . never had a problem paying a ticket but in this case you need to call to recive your fine amount$ and i called 4 times and it seems that the officer did not submite my ticeit to the local office yet .