DRIVERS are furious over a new law that forces them to share the road.
The new rule could leave drivers with higher insurance rates and traffic fines for making an easy mistake.
Lane splitting is allowed in Minnesota starting on July 1[/caption]
Motorcycle riders can pass through traffic jams at 15 mph in lane filtering[/caption]
Motorcycles will be allowed to share lanes with cars in a new Minnesota law (stock image)[/caption]
Starting on July 1, drivers have to make space for motorcyclists moving through traffic.
People driving motorcycles will be allowed to pass cars in the same lane on two-lane highways.
The motorcycles must be going under 25 miles per hour to split the lanes in moving traffic.
The riders can also move through a traffic jam, which is called lane filtering, on a two-lane street as long as they’re going less than 15 miles per hour over the speed of the other cars on the road.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reminded drivers about the upcoming traffic changes in a Facebook post on June 24, prompting an outpouring of criticism for the new law.
“Who in their right mind would pass this law?” one furious Facebook user wrote under the post.
Another slammed, “so now morons are going to just cruise down the middle between cars and when they get to above 25 expect everyone to yield to them?”
A third added, “Just another reason to raise insurance premiums in 2026… wait for it!!!”
Drivers are worried that the new law will raise insurance premiums because it could cause more collisions between cars and motorcycles.
The law also has the potential to shift responsibility from the motorcyclist to the person driving the car in case of accidents.
If the driver is considered responsible for an accident, or if they’re cited for blocking the motorcyclist, it could change how insurers handle claims, leading to larger insurance bills in the long run.
If a driver purposely blocks a motorcyclist from splitting the lane or moving through traffic, they could face a misdemeanor.
Misdemeanor traffic offenses bring at least a $50 fine against drivers, according to state officials.
Some Facebook users expressed doubts that motorcyclists will slow down to 25 miles per hour while splitting lanes, or 15 miles per hour while passing through traffic jams.
Lane splitting law
Drivers and motorcyclists will be allowed to share lanes in Minnesota thanks to a new law going into effect on July 1.
Below are the details of the law:
- Each lane must be wide enough to fit the car and the motorcycle
- The car and motorcycle must be going in the same direction
- Motorcyclists must proceed next to the moving car at less than 25 mph
- Riders must maintain control between the vehicles
- Motorcycle riders can also filter through lanes when traffic isn’t moving if they go no more than 15 mph over the speed of other cars
- Car drivers are not allowed to block motorcycles from using the lane
“25!? What motorcycle goes that slow?” one user complained under the post.
Another said, “Yeah, be sure cyclists abide by the 25 mph or slower. Many, many do not!”
“I think it will take some time to adjust,” another driver wrote in part.
“You’ll have the motorists that won’t know about the law change or won’t like it and motorcycles that will ignore the 25mph passing speed.
“I hope I’m wrong but guessing we’ll hear about road rage incidents on the matter for several months, if not longer.”
Minnesota’s DPS didn’t immediately return The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Cyclists aren’t allowed to lane split on roads through a school zone or work zone.
The law also doesn’t apply to ramps, turn lanes, or roundabouts.
Minnesota became the second state to pass a law about sharing lanes last year.
In Colorado, drivers are allowed to filter through traffic jams, but could still face a $100 fine for splitting lanes while cars are moving.
Motorcycle riders will be able to go in between cars if they’re traveling in the same direction[/caption]
A motorcycle rider demonstrating how to split lanes for ABC affiliate KSTP[/caption]
