Can Motorcyclists do whatever the want on expressways?

[diznygirl]

Texas has some that go up to 80 I believe. I know I've seen 75 there.

I'll have to factor that into our cross-country drive. I should be able to shave a few hours in Texas!

 

[LilyWDW]

Because discussing one doesn't mean that everyone is disregarding the other. If we can discuss anything unless we discuss everything, then we'll never discuss anything.

Agreed. I hate the argument "Well why don't you discuss XYZ??". The answer is simple; because that's not what the dang thread is about. If you want to discuss that, then start another thread. lol

 

[rszdtrvl]

Cars cannot weave in and out of stalled traffic the way motorcycles can.

That being said, when we were in California, I actually asked out tour bus driver if it was legal for them to do so, and he said it was. I was shocked, as we live in a small town, and I do not think that would fly on a regular basis here.

 

[cabanafrau]

We have a certain stretch of freeway in our area that is apparently a particular favorite for motorcyclists for whatever reason. I tend to avoid that area most of the time because it makes me anxious that I'll either be involved or witness a tragic accident because they really like to muscle through the traffic there at much more than the speed of the traffic. It's all the worse now because our road systems at this point are basically swiss cheese and bubblegum. I wind up with a stomach ache driving through that particular stretch of freeway, even as a passenger.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I miss Carlin so much.

 

[shoney]

I recently spent the week in Maine, driving back and forth from Long Island. I did notice a lot more people tootling along, many of them older.
Around here there seems to be more young guys riding fast colorful bikes with matching suits driving like maniacs. They drive me crazy!
When traffic is slow, they seem to think the rules don't apply and just drive in the middle of lanes.
I did once witness a motorcycle cop go after one in stopped traffic. That was great!!!!!

 

[Unas]

Can be tough to get an accurate radar reading on one in heavy traffic too.

No need for radar to get them on reckless driving or similar offense. Catching up with them to issue the ticket when there is heavy traffic is another matter.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

When traffic is slow, they seem to think the rules don't apply and just drive in the middle of lanes.
I did once witness a motorcycle cop go after one in stopped traffic. That was great!!!!!

As mentioned upstream, that's actually legal in some (not all) states. Guys in CA claim they can cut their commuting time in half by splitting lanes on a motorcycle vs driving a car.

 

[shoney]

As mentioned upstream, that's actually legal in some (not all) states. Guys in CA claim they can cut their commuting time in half by splitting lanes on a motorcycle vs driving a car.

That's fine. But it is not legal here and the motorcycle riders should know that.
If I am changing lanes, and happen to hit one, it should not be my fault. As a driver of a car, I shouldn't have to be looking for motorcycles driving between lanes.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Those darn motorcyclists!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

That's fine. But it is not legal here and the motorcycle riders should know that.
If I am changing lanes, and happen to hit one, it should not be my fault. As a driver of a car, I shouldn't have to be looking for motorcycles driving between lanes.

If a motorcycle rider is doing this illegally (like where it's not permitted), then no it should not be your fault "legally" if you hit one under such circumstances. Agree fully here.

I do disagree with the notion of having no responsibility to look first, however.

 

[Squirlz]

That's fine. But it is not legal here and the motorcycle riders should know that.
If I am changing lanes, and happen to hit one, it should not be my fault. As a driver of a car, I shouldn't have to be looking for motorcycles driving between lanes.

As s.responsible driver, you need to be.

 

[pryncess527]

As a person who would rather not be involved in a fatal accident, even if I am legally absolved of blame, I'm always looking out for people/drivers who are in places they shouldn't be . . .

 

[shoney]

Sorry but you can't see all things all the time. If I am changing lanes, I can't always see a motorcycle doing 90mph between the lanes.
That's is why the "watch for motorcycles" campaign, needs to also include "motorcycles should obey laws" campaign.
I too would rather avoid an accident and do my part, just wish others would do theirs.

 

[Shmily1]

That's fine. But it is not legal here and the motorcycle riders should know that.
If I am changing lanes, and happen to hit one, it should not be my fault. As a driver of a car, I shouldn't have to be looking for motorcycles driving between lanes.

As a driver of anything, I shouldn't have to look for idiots running red lights either but I still look both ways before crossing.

 

[shoney]

As a driver of anything, I shouldn't have to look for idiots running red lights either but I still look both ways before crossing.

Again, this is about motorcyclists.
Whatever. my opinion of them will not change.

 

[Arielle22]

DH has a bike that is the size of a small car. He rides just like he drives, cautiously. We know people who have been killed and seriously injured driving. It is a split as to who is at fault (bike or other vehicle). Last November DH was hit by a pickup because the pickup thought he could turn in front of DH before DH arrived at that spot. DH was going the speed limit and other driver was cited. DH was lucky because he went onto the hood of the pickup while the bike went under it. Dh walked away with bruises and bike was totalled.

On the other hand, last Friday, I was driving in a single lane on the highway with jersey barriers on one side and a permanent cement wall on the other. A crotch rocket decided to split the lane to make better time. One foot to the side and I would have squished him. Lane splitting is not legal in MA.

Years ago DH and I (on our bike) were chased by a car who we guessed didn't like us getting in front of him. DH kicked the car, slowed down, speed up but the guy wouldn't let us get away. He tried to force us in the center divider. Luckily another car got between us so we could get into another lane. Guy actually followed us off the highway and to a state police barracks. When he saw us turn in, he sped away.

So there are plenty of asses on both kinds of vehicles.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

They sure do here. If the tunnel gets backed up they drive down the middle or off to the side.

 

[indygirl99]

Your perception of how fast the motorcycle is going is distorted by the size of your vehicle in relation to the bike and the noise the bike makes. I have several cops in my family and 2 of them are motorcycle cops.

When you think they are weaving in and out of traffic they are doing the same that you do in your car when you change lanes but since they only need one fourth the space you need in your car they appear to be unsafe.

When you say they had to be going 90+ when you were traveling 75 mph they literally would have been out of your sight in less than 15 seconds. The loudness of the motor tricks your hearing and makes it seem like they are traveling faster than they really are.

Splitting lanes is legal in many states and there are several states that are looking at making it legal.

Of course none of these facts makes you personally feel safer.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Your perception of how fast the motorcycle is going is distorted by the size of your vehicle in relation to the bike and the noise the bike makes. I have several cops in my family and 2 of them are motorcycle cops.

When you think they are weaving in and out of traffic they are doing the same that you do in your car when you change lanes but since they only need one fourth the space you need in your car they appear to be unsafe.

When you say they had to be going 90+ when you were traveling 75 mph they literally would have been out of your sight in less than 15 seconds. The loudness of the motor tricks your hearing and makes it seem like they are traveling faster than they really are.

Splitting lanes is legal in many states and there are several states that are looking at making it legal.

Of course none of these facts makes you personally feel safer.

When traffic is heavy, and slowed, and there are motorcyclists who are splitting the lanes (legal or not) to go more than 15-20 miles per hour over the flow of traffic, there's nothing about it that is safe, and yes, they are out of sight in less than 15 seconds, what difference does that make?