Even when wearing the full amount of protective gear, bikers are vulnerable to serious injury in the event of an accident with a larger, heavier vehicle. Drivers have the responsibility of safely sharing the road with motorcycles, yet these types of accidents often happen because of the negligent or reckless actions of other drivers. A new law in Arizona could improve things for bikers, making the roads safer and possibly lowering the chance of an accident.
New legislation brings good news for bikers
The new legislation that was recently passed into allow could allow bikers to pass other vehicles on the road, possibly avoiding collisions. In certain circumstances, motorcycles can now move between lanes when traffic is stopped, an action known as lane-splitting. This will only be permitted if it occurs on a street that has at least two adjacent lanes of traffic going in the same direction.
Additionally, lane-splitting is only permissible on streets with speed limits of 45 mph or lower, and the biker cannot travel faster than 15 mph. The bill passed with bipartisan support, and the Arizona governor signed the bill into law. It is hoped that this will allow two-wheel vehicles to move with ease and avoid rear-end accidents with larger vehicles trying to come to a stop.
Injured bikers need help
Even with the passage of this new bill, those on motorcycles still face certain risks while on the road. Injured bikers may have grounds to pursue compensation through a civil claim if they are suffering as the result of the negligent or reckless actions of another motorist. It may help to first discuss legal options with an experienced injury attorney as soon as possible after a crash.
