Is Lane Splitting Legal in Georgia?

A motorcycle can be a great way to get around in our region. As a rider, you may be tempted to save time by driving through lanes of slow-moving or outright stopped traffic. It is a practice known as lane-splitting—and it is not allowed in every jurisdiction. This raises an important question: Is lane splitting legal in Georgia? The short answer is “no”—Georgia does not allow motorcyclists to split lanes. It is crucial that motorcyclists always follow the law. Here, our Athens motorcycle accident lawyer explains the most important things to know about our state’s lane splitting laws.

What is Lane Splitting?

Lane splitting involves a motorcycle navigating between lanes of slow-moving or stationary vehicles.

Most often, it happens in traffic jams. The maneuver allows motorcyclists to progress through traffic faster than other vehicles— using the space that exists between lanes. For obvious reasons, lane splitting can be a technique to get through heavy traffic more quickly. However, it carries inherent safety risks and cannot be done without a high degree of skill and awareness.

Georgia Does Not Allow Motorcycle Lane Splitting

Motorcycle traffic laws exist largely at the state level. Lane splitting is prohibited in most (but not all) U.S. states. Georgia is not an exception. Under Georgia law (Georgia Code § 40-6-312(c)), “no person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.”In other words, motorcycle lane splitting is a prohibited practice. The statute explicitly bars motorcyclists from splitting lanes—even when traffic is stopped. Motorcyclists in Georgia must stay within a single lane and cannot navigate between lanes of traffic.

Note: There was an effort to legalize lane splitting in Georgia in the 2015 and 2016 session. However, the proposal did not make it out of committee. The practice remains prohibited.

Lane Splitting Georgia: Why it is Not Allowed

Why is motorcycle lane splitting a prohibited practice in Georgia? There are a number of different reasons—they are all focused on traffic safety. Here are three of the most notable reasons why Georgia law prevents motorcyclists from riding between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic:

1. Accident Risk: Highway safety regulators in Georgia believe that motorcycle lane splitting can increase the risk of accidents—especially in high-density traffic where space between vehicles is limited. The concern is that motorcyclists maneuvering between lanes may not be visible to car drivers who might not expect a vehicle in such close proximity. It can lead to collisions—particularly if a motorist attempts to change lanes without noticing the rider.
2. Predictability of Traffic: Allowing motorcyclists to lane split disrupts the predictable flow of traffic. When vehicles stay in the marked lanes, their movements are more predictable. A benefit of that is that it reduces the likelihood of sudden lane changes that can lead to accidents. Georgia law emphasizes maintaining order and predictability on the roads.
3. Legal Clarity: By clearly defining that lane splitting is illegal, Georgia provides a legal framework that is easier to enforce. The clarity helps in reducing ambiguity for both law enforcement officers and riders. Clear laws ensure that all motorists—including motorcyclists—understand what is expected of them on the road.

What are the Penalties for Lane Splitting on a Motorcycle in Georgia?

In Georgia, motorcycle lane splitting is illegal. Engaging in the practice can result in penalties. You can receive a base fine of $132. You could also face additional financial costs depending on your county of residence. Another big issue is that you could run into the issue of a crash happening because of the lane splitting—even if you technically did not “cause” the crash. In Georgia, motorcyclists are not supposed to be riding between lanes. If lane splitting leads to an accident, the motorcyclist may be found at fault or partially at fault.

A Lane Splitting Motorcyclist May Be Liable for a Resulting Crash

Lane splitting is barred by Georgia Code § 40-6-312(c). All motorists, including all motorcyclists, are required by law to follow applicable traffic regulations. If they fail to do so, they may be liable for a resulting accident. In Georgia, lane splitting by a motorcycle can be viewed as an act of negligence. It is akin to running a stop sign. It violates the law and is the jurisdiction for a traffic stop by police.

Remember, Georgia is a fault-based motor vehicle crash state. The party deemed responsible for causing a crash will bear liability for the resulting damages. If a crash occurs involving a motorcyclist who was lane splitting, the motorcyclist may be legally responsible. Courts typically assess liability based on whether the motorcyclist’s behavior deviated from what a reasonably prudent motorcyclist would do under similar circumstances—and prudent motorcyclists follow the law.

Financial Recovery is Not Barred for Motorcyclists (Comparative Negligence)

Were you lane splitting on your motorcycle in Georgia? If you were involved in a crash, you may have options for recovering financial compensation through a personal injury claim. Indeed.

Even if a motorcyclist was lane splitting at the time of a crash in Georgia, they may still have a viable personal injury claim under the principle of comparative negligence. Our state operates under a modified comparative negligence standard for motor vehicle crashes, including motorcycle wrecks.

For example, imagine a motorcyclist was lane splitting and deemed 30 percent liable for an accident because this maneuver was unsafe or illegal. However, the other driver involved might have been texting while driving, a clear violation of distracted driving laws. If this driver’s negligence is found to be 70 percent responsible for the collision, the motorcyclist can still recover damages. Under comparative negligence, the motorcyclist’s compensation would be reduced by their percentage of fault. If the total damages amounted to $100,000, the motorcyclist would still be eligible to receive $70,000—that reflects a 30 percent reduction for their share of the blame. reflecting a 30% reduction due to their contributory negligence in the accident.

Recovering Full and Fair Financial Compensation as an Injured Motorcyclist in Georgia

In Georgia, motorcyclists have the right to seek compensation for the full extent of their damages, including any non-economic losses. Unfortunately, insurance companies can make the claims process challenging. They may even try to deny recovery or limit compensation if there are allegations of lane splitting. Our Athens, GA motorcycle accident lawyers fight tirelessly to help injured victims secure the maximum financial compensation, including for:

• Motorcycle repairs;
• Emergency room care;
• Hospital bills;
• Physical therapy;
• Medical equipment;
• Medications;
• Lost wages;
• Loss of future earnings;
• Pain and suffering;
• Mental distress;
• Long-term disability;
• Physical impairment;
• Loss of life enjoyment; and
• Wrongful death.

Why Injured Motorcyclists Trust the Legal Team at The Larrison Law Firm

Navigating the aftermath of a serious motorcycle crash is not easy—especially so if lane-splitting is an issue. Our founder and lead attorney Brady M. Larrison has more than 12 years of experience advocating for injured victims in Georgia, including those hurt in motorcycle crashes. Our case results tell the story best—we have recovered millions in compensation for victims and families.

Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our Georgia Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Today

At The Larrison Law Firm, our Georgia motorcycle accident attorney has the professional expertise that you can trust. If you or your loved one was involved in a lane-splitting crash, we are here to help.

Contact us today for your free, no-obligation initial case review. With offices in Athens and Loganville, we fight for the rights of injured motorcyclists throughout the wider region.