Understanding traffic rules can mean the difference between a minor delay and a serious car accident. One question we hear often at The Law Offices of John Phebus is is lane splitting legal in Arizona? It’s a fair question, especially with more motorcyclists on the road and a recent change in Arizona traffic law.
In Arizona, lane splitting is not legal. While lane filtering (riding between lanes of stopped traffic) is permitted under certain conditions, splitting lanes of moving traffic is not.
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In 2022, legislators passed a new law in Arizona that permits motorcyclists to lane filter for the first time. Within certain parameters, two-wheeled motorcycles can now drive on the line between two lanes of same-direction traffic to pass stopped vehicles. Lane filtering must be done safely, prudently and within the confines of Arizona law.
Although people sometimes mix them up, lane filtering and lane splitting are not the same. Lane splitting refers to a motorcycle weaving between vehicles that are in motion. In Arizona, riding between moving lanes is not allowed. The law treats this as a dangerous maneuver that can lead to serious collisions, especially when cars unexpectedly change lanes or drivers are caught off guard.
Lane filtering, on the other hand, involves maneuvering a motorcycle between lanes of completely stopped vehicles. This is permitted only under specific conditions—the speed limit must be 45 mph or less, and the motorcycle must travel no faster than 15 mph. It’s meant to help riders move safely through fully stopped traffic, especially in dense intersections.
The difference isn’t just about semantics—it’s built into Arizona’s traffic laws. One is illegal and considered high-risk; the other is legal in narrow situations designed to prevent rear-end crashes.
Yes, lane filtering is allowed, but only under specific conditions. Many riders ask, Is lane splitting legal in Arizona? And while the answer is no, understanding how lane filtering works under the law is essential. As noted by the Arizona Legislature, motorcyclists are allowed to overtake and pass a vehicle stopped in the same lane and direction of travel, and may also ride between lanes of traffic — but only if it’s done safely and the rider meets specific legal conditions. These conditions include:
Worth noting: Just because the law allows lane filtering doesn’t mean every situation is safe. Motorcyclists still need to stay alert, anticipate sudden lane changes, and use good judgment. The goal of the law is to cut down on rear-end crashes—not to encourage risky riding.
“At The Law Office of John Phebus, our personal injury and criminal defense attorneys have been representing clients in Glendale, Arizona for over 30 years. We focus on helping those who have suffered a catastrophic injury or are facing serious criminal charges.”
John Allen Phebus
John Allen Phebus
FOUNDING ATTORNEY
If a motorcycle accident occurs while a motorcyclist is lane filtering, an investigation will need to be conducted to determine the cause of the crash. If the motorcyclist was behaving prudently and obeying Arizona’s lane-filtering laws, the motor vehicle driver may be found at fault for actions such as distracted driving or making an unsafe lane change.
If, however, the motorcyclist was in violation of the lane-filtering law – for example, if he or she rode between two lanes of moving traffic – the rider may be held responsible for a subsequent accident. Arizona is a fault-based state, meaning the individual at fault for causing the crash will be held liable, or financially responsible, for the victim’s expenses.
Arizona’s comparative negligence law permits an injured accident victim to recover compensation despite being allocated a portion of fault. This means that both a motorcyclist and a motor vehicle driver could share fault for an accident and each party could still receive partial compensation.
For more information about Arizona’s lane-filtering law, contact The Law Offices of John Phebus Criminal and Personal Injury Lawyer for a free consultation.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Attorney John Phebus, who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
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