Colorado State Patrol asks drivers to respect lane filtering motorcyclists
First and foremost, CSP said it is important for drivers to understand the difference between lane splitting, which is illegal, and lane filtering, which was legalized last year and took effect last August.
What's the difference between lane filtering and lane splitting — and which one is legal?
'The first thing Coloradoans need to understand is that there is a seemingly small but important difference between lane filtering and lane splitting,' CSP Chief Col. Matthew C. Packard said in a statement. 'One maneuver is legal, and the other remains prohibited, so let's all start by getting on the same page.'
Lane filtering is when a motorcyclist passes other cars that are at a complete stop. Lane splitting, meanwhile, is when a rider rides in-between cars that are in motion.
According to the new law, the CSP says these five rules must be followed:
To pass, traffic in the rider's lane and adjacent lanes going the same direction must be at a complete stop
The lane must be wide enough to fit the vehicle and motorcycle while passing
The motorcycle must go 15 mph or less
The rider must pass safely and control the motorcycle
The rider must pass on the left and not enter the oncoming traffic lane
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'It's up to the rider to assess each situation and determine if the conditions are safe and legal to filter – it's an option, not a requirement to filter,' Packard said. 'It is also the responsibility of every motorist to share the road. Drive with etiquette and with the law in mind. Respecting each other and driving without distractions will make our commutes faster and safer.'
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