Riding a motorcycle in Arizona comes with its own set of rules, one of which was passed relatively recently and involves lane filtering. If you have a bike in the state, it’s worth taking the time to learn about what this law allows and where the limits are, due in part to the fact that lane filtering can impact liability in the event of a motorcycle accident.
This blog post covers the basics of Arizona’s lane-filtering motorcycle law below. Knowing this information is critical if you or a loved one plans to ride a motorcycle in the Grand Canyon State.
How Arizona’s Motorcycle Lane-Filtering Law Works
Arizona legalized lane filtering on September 24, 2022, when Senate Bill 1273 went into effect. Governor Doug Ducey signed the bill earlier that year, updating Arizona Revised Statutes Section 28-903. This law allows riders on two-wheeled motorcycles to pass stopped vehicles by moving between lanes of traffic under certain conditions.
One thing that confuses many people is the difference between lane filtering and lane splitting. Lane splitting means riding between lanes while traffic is still moving. That is illegal in Arizona. Lane filtering only comes into play when the cars around you have come to a full stop.
Lawmakers modeled this bill after a similar law Utah passed in 2019. The reasoning behind it is simple: motorcyclists sitting in stopped traffic are at serious risk of being rear-ended. Letting riders move toward the front of a traffic line helps reduce that danger.
Arizona Lane-Filtering Rules You Need to Follow
You can’t just weave between cars whenever you feel like it—Arizona has clear boundaries on when lane filtering is allowed:
- The posted speed limit on the road must be 45 miles per hour or lower.
- Your motorcycle cannot exceed 15 miles per hour while filtering.
- There must be at least two lanes heading in the same direction.
- Every vehicle around you must be at a complete stop.
- You have to be able to make the move safely.
On top of that, filtering is generally not allowed on freeways under any circumstances. The law also only covers two-wheeled motorcycles; if you ride a trike or a bike with a sidecar, you are not eligible. Passing on the shoulder or the median is prohibited as well.
Breaking any of these rules during a crash could give the other side’s insurance company the ammunition it needs to pin the blame on you.
What Steps Should I Take After a Lane-Filtering Accident?
Crashes can still happen even if you do everything right. Some drivers don’t know this law exists, and something like a sudden lane change can cause a serious collision without a moment’s notice.
If you’re injured while filtering, protect yourself by doing the following:
- Call 911 so law enforcement can document what happened.
- Get medical treatment as soon as possible. Those records connect your injuries to the crash, and some injuries don’t present symptoms right away.
- Take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle positions, road conditions, and any injuries you can see.
- Get the names and phone numbers of anyone who witnessed the collision.
- Do not apologize or accept blame at the scene. Even a casual “I’m sorry” could be twisted and used against you later.
It’s best to consult with a motorcycle accident lawyer right away to preserve your legal rights and options. Insurance adjusters will sometimes treat legal lane filtering as if it were illegal lane splitting. That kind of mix-up can wreck your claim if you don’t have someone in your corner to set the record straight.
Contact an Arizona Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Feller & Wendt, LLC for Legal Help
Arizona’s lane-filtering law was designed to keep riders safer, but it also opens the door to new disputes when a crash happens. If the other driver’s insurer is pointing the finger at you, a trusted legal team can step in on your behalf and fight back.
Call Feller & Wendt, LLC to schedule a free consultation with an Arizona motorcycle accident attorney today. With the contingency fee payment system most lawyers in this area of the law work under, you only pay attorney’s fees if you win your case.
Schedule a free case evaluation with our team today. We proudly serve Layton, St. George, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Mesa, Meridian, and its surrounding areas.
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Layton Office
67 S. Main St. #100
Layton, UT, 84041
801-499-5060
Feller & Wendt, LLC – St. George Office
169 W 2710 S Cir, Suite 202-A
St. George, UT, 84790
801-499-5060
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Salt Lake City Office
4424 South 700 East, Suite 240
Millcreek, UT, 84107
801-499-5060
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Phoenix Office
1 N 1st St, Suite 7550
Phoenix, AZ, 85004
480-702-2277
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Mesa Office
2222 S Dobson Rd, # 500
Mesa, AZ, 85202
480-702-2277
Feller & Wendt, LLC – Boise Office
5536 N Eagle Rd,
Boise, ID, 83713
208-595-6953
