There is a common complaint among drivers that lane splitting is reckless, dangerous, and unfair. You are stuck in gridlock, inching forward, and a motorcycle zips past you at 40 mph. It feels like they are cutting the line. AAA Car Driving School is here to challenge that perspective. Lane splitting isn't the problem; distracted car drivers are. In fact, if every motorcycle on the highway took up a full car space in the lane, your commute would be significantly longer. Lane splitting is a solution to congestion, not a cause of it.
The argument against lane splitting usually comes from a place of fear or jealousy. Drivers worry about their side mirrors or get angry that someone else is moving while they are stopped. But let’s look at the physics. Motorcycles are air-cooled and small. Sitting in traffic causes them to overheat and exposes the rider to a high risk of being crushed in a rear-end collision. By moving between lanes, they remove themselves from the danger zone and free up space for cars. Studies from UC Berkeley show that when done at safe speeds, lane splitting is no more dangerous than riding in the lane, and it significantly improves traffic flow for everyone.
The real danger on the road isn't the rider moving between lanes; it is the driver changing lanes without looking. We see it constantly: a driver decides the other lane is moving 2 mph faster, whips the wheel over without signaling, and nearly takes out a rider. This isn't an accident; it is negligence. We challenge you to take responsibility for your blind spots. You cannot just glance at a mirror and go. You have to actively look for the smaller profile of a bike.
We also need to debunk the myth that it is your job to "police" the road. Moving your car to block a motorcycle because you think they are going too fast is assault with a deadly weapon. It is not your job to regulate traffic speed. Your job is to maintain your lane and signal your intentions. If a rider is speeding, that is between them and the Highway Patrol. Attempting to squeeze a rider is not defensive driving; it is road rage, and it carries severe legal consequences.
We also challenge the "it scares me" excuse. If a vehicle passing you legally in the adjacent space causes you to panic and swerve, you need more training. The highway is a dynamic environment. You need to be desensitized to proximity while maintaining high alertness. A quality Driving School Santa Clara curriculum teaches you to drive with awareness, not ego. We train you to accept that different vehicles have different capabilities and rules. Lane splitting is legal here. Fighting it only increases the danger for everyone involved.
Stop seeing motorcycles as the enemy. See them as one less car in front of you at the exit ramp. Change your mindset, check your mirrors, and drive with purpose.
Challenge your assumptions and upgrade your driving skills with AAA Car Driving School.
The argument against lane splitting usually comes from a place of fear or jealousy. Drivers worry about their side mirrors or get angry that someone else is moving while they are stopped. But let’s look at the physics. Motorcycles are air-cooled and small. Sitting in traffic causes them to overheat and exposes the rider to a high risk of being crushed in a rear-end collision. By moving between lanes, they remove themselves from the danger zone and free up space for cars. Studies from UC Berkeley show that when done at safe speeds, lane splitting is no more dangerous than riding in the lane, and it significantly improves traffic flow for everyone.
The real danger on the road isn't the rider moving between lanes; it is the driver changing lanes without looking. We see it constantly: a driver decides the other lane is moving 2 mph faster, whips the wheel over without signaling, and nearly takes out a rider. This isn't an accident; it is negligence. We challenge you to take responsibility for your blind spots. You cannot just glance at a mirror and go. You have to actively look for the smaller profile of a bike.
We also need to debunk the myth that it is your job to "police" the road. Moving your car to block a motorcycle because you think they are going too fast is assault with a deadly weapon. It is not your job to regulate traffic speed. Your job is to maintain your lane and signal your intentions. If a rider is speeding, that is between them and the Highway Patrol. Attempting to squeeze a rider is not defensive driving; it is road rage, and it carries severe legal consequences.
We also challenge the "it scares me" excuse. If a vehicle passing you legally in the adjacent space causes you to panic and swerve, you need more training. The highway is a dynamic environment. You need to be desensitized to proximity while maintaining high alertness. A quality Driving School Santa Clara curriculum teaches you to drive with awareness, not ego. We train you to accept that different vehicles have different capabilities and rules. Lane splitting is legal here. Fighting it only increases the danger for everyone involved.
Stop seeing motorcycles as the enemy. See them as one less car in front of you at the exit ramp. Change your mindset, check your mirrors, and drive with purpose.
Challenge your assumptions and upgrade your driving skills with AAA Car Driving School.