Some Nevada drivers experience a little extra anxiety when they see a vehicle on the road with California license plates. They assume it belongs to someone visiting on vacation or business (especially here in the Las Vegas area) or one of the many Californians who has relocated to Nevada, in part because housing prices are within more people’s budgets.
While Californians aren’t necessarily more reckless drivers than Nevadans, our two states have some differences in traffic laws. One key – and potentially dangerous – difference involves motorcycles.
What is lane splitting?
It’s called “lane splitting.” California is still the only state in the country where it’s included in the law. It’s defined in the California Vehicle Code as “driving a motorcycle…between rows of stopped or moving vehicles in the same lane….” In Nevada, it’s illegal.
A lot of people in both states are unaware of the difference in the law. Seeing a motorcyclist lane splitting on a Nevada road can confuse and potentially endanger others on motorcycles and cause panic and even collisions for drivers. It’s also dangerous for those doing the lane splitting on Nevada roads (and illegal).
Even in California, a motorcyclist moving between lanes can be dangerous for everyone on the road if the motorcyclist doesn’t make sure the drivers around them see them before they move between lanes.
There are other differences in traffic laws as well. Californians and others who relocate to Nevada should learn them when they get their new driver’s licenses.
It’s always wise to give those with out-of-state license plates a little extra room. Of course, any driver can be negligent or reckless. If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by another driver, it’s smart not to agree to a settlement until you’ve gotten legal guidance to help ensure that you aren’t settling for less than you’re entitled to receive.
