One of the features that make motorcycles so appealing is how drivers can maneuver more easily on a two-wheeled vehicle than when inside an enclosed four-wheeled vehicle.
Lane splitting or the practice of driving in the same lane as another vehicle is illegal in most of the country, including Tennessee. Essentially, motorcycles have to follow bigger vehicles in traffic and cannot maneuver around them even in a traffic jam scenario.
However, lawmakers in Tennessee may soon revisit that rule.
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A pending bill could legalize lane-splitting
In 2023, state lawmakers began the process of potentially legalizing lane-splitting. There should be hearings on the proposed bill in the 2024 legislative session.
If lane splitting becomes legal, motorcycles could move around traffic during times of congestion, provided that they do not travel at more than 10 miles per hour faster than the other vehicles in traffic. While this could make riding a motorcycle even more attractive to some, it could also potentially cause more crashes.
Even if a motorcycle rider’s maneuvers are fully legal, drivers trapped in traffic jams can be erratic and unpredictable. They may not watch for motorcycles and could potentially cause a crash with one legally splitting lanes to move through the congestion. Given how easy it is for drivers to overlook motorcycles, those who ride need to be careful about complying with the law and ensuring that drivers notice them in traffic.
Anyone involved in a motorcycle collision could potentially have major medical expenses and property damage losses to recover. Filing a personal injury lawsuit is sometimes necessary after motorcycle crashes, as basic insurance might be inadequate for covering a Rider’s medical expenses and lost wages.