As a motorcyclist, you have all the same rights and most of the same responsibilities under Pennsylvania law that a person operating any other type of vehicle on a public road does. There are a few unique ways the law specifically addresses motorcycle riders, which you should know about if you want to avoid legal trouble and keep yourself safe during each and every ride.
Listed below are some of the most important Quakertown motorcycle traffic laws that every rider should be aware of and should comply with at all times while riding on any public road. If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash because someone else broke a traffic law, our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you understand and take full advantage of your right to file suit and demand financial compensation for your crash-related losses.
Can Motorcyclists Lane Split?
In some states, motorcyclists are allowed to split lanes, meaning they can ride on the lines dividing traffic lanes in order to advance to the front of the line at a stoplight or get around gridlocked traffic on a highway. In Quakertown and throughout Pennsylvania, traffic laws prohibit motorcyclists from lane splitting under any circumstances, as well as riding or passing on the shoulder of the road.
Lane Sharing
Pennsylvania law also prohibits motorcycle riders from riding next to a motor vehicle within the same lane of traffic and instead requires motorcyclists to move entirely into an adjacent lane before overtaking and passing any other vehicle. Two motorcyclists are allowed to ride next to each other within a single lane of traffic, provided they follow all other applicable traffic laws and don’t ride three or more abreast inside a single lane.
Other Rules for Motorcycle Traffic
75 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 3523 states that motorcyclists have a right to the same amount of space within a traffic lane as a regular-sized commuter car. People driving other types of vehicles near motorcycles are prohibited from crowding motorcyclists within their lane or otherwise treating them differently from any other vehicle. This section of the law states that the restrictions on lane-splitting and lane-sharing that apply to civilian motorcyclists in Quakertown do not apply to police officers on motorcycles who are performing official duties.
Understanding the Ride on Red Law
One somewhat new motorcycle traffic law in Quakertown is the Ride on Red law. A lot of stoplights only cycle when their weight sensors detect vehicles waiting at a light. Motorcycles are not always heavy enough to trigger those sensors. Motorcyclists who have waited several cycles at a red light are allowed to carefully proceed through the intersection if there is no oncoming traffic.
A Quakertown Attorney Can Help File Suit If Someone Else Breaks Motorcycle Traffic Laws
Even if you follow every rule of the road that applies to you as a motorcyclist, you may still get seriously hurt in a wreck that was entirely someone else’s fault. You have help available with handling this kind of situation from seasoned legal professionals who are well-known for winning similar cases in the past.
If you were hurt in an accident recently despite following Quakertown motorcycle traffic laws, you should make speaking with one of our lawyers your top priority. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to discuss your options.
