Lane splitting is illegal in Connecticut. Motorists who engage in this behavior on the road can get a ticket from the police, resulting in fines and points on their driver’s license. However, Connecticut may consider changing laws on lane splitting in the future.
You can learn more about the state’s motorcycle laws from a Connecticut motorcycle accident lawyer. An attorney can also help you build a claim for maximum compensation if you sustain injuries in a motorcycle crash.
Is Lane Splitting Illegal in Connecticut?
Lane splitting is not legal in Connecticut. The state’s laws dictate that motorists must keep their vehicles within a single lane unless they’re avoiding a road hazard or overtaking another vehicle. Therefore, motorcyclists have to follow the same rules as drivers operating cars or trucks.
Why Doesn’t Connecticut Allow Lane Splitting?
Connecticut doesn’t allow lane splitting because state legislators believe that maintaining lane discipline results in predictable traffic patterns, which increases safety on the road for all motorists.
However, studies on motorcycle lane-splitting and safety in California have shown that motorcyclists who engage in lane splitting are less likely to sustain serious injuries in collisions. In fact, lane-splitting motorcyclists get rear-ended less often than other bikers.
Additionally, lane-splitting can lead to lower traffic congestion and reduce the odds of a motorcycle overheating. Due to these benefits, Connecticut has considered adjusting lane-splitting laws, but, as of winter 2025, lane splitting is not legal in Connecticut.
Do Any States Allow Lane Splitting?
Lane splitting is legal in California. Additionally, several states do not have hard and fast rules regarding lane splitting, allowing local law enforcement to determine if the action should qualify as reckless or dangerous driving.
A handful of other states, including Connecticut, are considering changing laws regarding lane splitting, but have not yet made the practice legal.
Other Restrictions on Motorcyclists in Connecticut
Connecticut restricts several other actions taken by motorcyclists in other states. The state prohibits:
Lane Filtering
Motorcyclists engage in lane filtering when they maneuver their bikes between stopped traffic at red lights, stop signs, or in stopped traffic. In many cases, motorcyclists engage in lane filtering to reach the front of a line of traffic.
Lane filtering differs from lane splitting because motorcyclists move through stopped traffic when filtering and moving traffic when splitting. However, Connecticut considers both behaviors against the law.
Bikers who engage in lane filtering could get tickets for:
- Making an unsafe lane change
- Improper passing
- Failure to maintain a proper lane position
These tickets can lead to fines and points on the motorcyclist’s license.
Shoulder Riding
Shoulder riding involves driving on the shoulder of the road to get around traffic or to get off the highway. Connecticut does not allow any drivers – including motorcyclists – to engage in shoulder riding.
Why Laws on Lane Splitting Matter in Connecticut
Breaking Connecticut’s laws on lane splitting can lead to tickets, fines, and points on a driver’s license. Additionally, engaging in these restricted behaviors can make it more challenging to get compensation for your losses if you end up in a motorcycle accident.
The other motorist involved in the collision could try to argue that you contributed to the crash by engaging in lane splitting. This argument matters due to Connecticut’s comparative negligence laws, which state that more than one party can hold responsibility for a crash and that injury victims will receive less compensation based on their percentage of fault for the wreck.
For example, let’s say that you get in a motorcycle accident that results in $10,000 of losses. However, the other party tries to claim that you hold 40% of the fault for the accident due to lane splitting. In this situation, you might only get $6,000 to cover your damages.
Can You Get Compensation After a Crash While Lane Splitting?
You may still qualify for compensation after a motorcycle crash that happened while you were lane splitting if an attorney can show that someone else carries a larger percentage of fault for the collision than you do.
An attorney will need to investigate what happened and review your circumstances to build a personal injury claim on your behalf.
Talk to Us About Lane Splitting and Motorcycle Accidents
So, is lane splitting legal in Connecticut? Currently, the state does not allow motorcyclists to engage in lane splitting. The state also prohibits lane filtering and shoulder riding.
You can learn more about Connecticut’s laws and get help building a claim for compensation after a motorcycle crash from our team at Skiber Law. We have over 50 years of combined experience, and we know what it takes to successfully handle complicated accident claims.
You can turn to a Connecticut personal injury lawyer from our firm for the help you need to secure maximum compensation for your losses. We can assist with an insurance claim or a lawsuit against the at-fault party.
