Governor rejects "lane splitting" law for motorcycles

(MAY 31, 2021) Oregon's state Senate and House of Representatives both recently approved a new law for motorcycles. That law would permit motorcyclists to drive between slow or stopped traffic. This is called "lane splitting" or "lane filtering." It would have applied to multilane highways when traffic slows to 10 miles per hour or less.

But Oregon's governor, Kate Brown, did not approve the proposal. Therefore it will not become a law. Brown thinks "lane splitting" is too dangerous. “I have several concerns ... related to public safety and noncompliance,” Brown told state lawmakers, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, for example, there were 78 deadly motorcycle crashes in the state in 2018.

Still, motorcyclists say it actually increases safety. Some states (California and Utah, for example) have similar laws. In fact, data from Utah shows a decrease in motorcycle fatalities.

“Perhaps one of the more dangerous situations for any on-highway motorcyclist is being caught in congested traffic, where stop-and-go vehicles, distracted and inattentive vehicle operators and environmental conditions pose an increased risk of physical contact with another vehicle or hazard,” Nicholas Harris. He is a representative for the American Motorcyclist Association. “Even minor contact under such conditions can be disastrous for motorcyclists.”

Oregon's state legislature could still make it a new law if 2/3 vote to override the governor's veto. Many people think this is too difficult. They don't think there are sufficient votes to do so.