Bill Text: CA AB51 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Vehicles: motorcycles: lane splitting.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2016-08-19 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 141, Statutes of 2016. [AB51 Detail]

Download: California-2015-AB51-Chaptered.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 51	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  141
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 19, 2016
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 19, 2016
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 1, 2016
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 4, 2016
	AMENDED IN SENATE  JUNE 1, 2016
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 22, 2015
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  FEBRUARY 11, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Members Quirk and Lackey
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Chu)

                        DECEMBER 1, 2014

   An act to add Section 21658.1 to the Vehicle Code, relating to
vehicles.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 51, Quirk. Vehicles: motorcycles: lane splitting.
   Existing law requires, whenever a roadway has been divided into 2
or more clearly marked lanes for traffic in one direction, that a
vehicle be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single
lane and not be moved from the lane until the movement can be made
with reasonable safety.
   This bill would define "lane splitting" as driving a motorcycle,
that has 2 wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped
or moving vehicles in the same lane, as specified. The bill would
authorize the Department of the California Highway Patrol to develop
educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that
would ensure the safety of the motorcyclist, drivers, and passengers,
as specified. The bill would require the department, in developing
these guidelines, to consult with specified agencies and
organizations with an interest in road safety and motorcyclist
behavior.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 21658.1 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
   21658.1.  (a) For the purposes of this section, "lane splitting"
means driving a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400, that has two
wheels in contact with the ground, between rows of stopped or moving
vehicles in the same lane, including on both divided and undivided
streets, roads, or highways.
   (b) The Department of the California Highway Patrol may develop
educational guidelines relating to lane splitting in a manner that
would ensure the safety of the motorcyclist and the drivers and
passengers of the surrounding vehicles.
   (c) In developing guidelines pursuant to this section, the
department shall consult with agencies and organizations with an
interest in road safety and motorcyclist behavior, including, but not
limited to, all of the following:
   (1) The Department of Motor Vehicles.
   (2) The Department of Transportation.
   (3) The Office of Traffic Safety.
   (4) A motorcycle organization focused on motorcyclist safety.