Lane filtering is a technique that allows motorcyclists to safely move to the front of an intersection while traffic is stopped at a red light. It is legal in a handful of states, including Arizona now.

Lane filtering entails maneuvering your way out of traffic lanes and in between stopped cars to the front of an intersection. When the light changes to green your motorcycle’s ability to rapidly accelerate should allow you to move ahead and filter back into traffic lanes.

Lane filtering is only legal in Arizona when certain traffic conditions exist:

• You must be riding on a roadway with two or more adjacent travel lanes going in the same direction
• The posted speed limit on the road must be 45 mph or less
• You must not drive faster than 15 mph while passing between other vehicles

Lane filtering should not be confused with lane splitting. Lane splitting is a motorcycle riding technique in which a rider passes between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic.

California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. While lane splitting, the motorcyclist must not travel more than 10 mph faster than other vehicles.

Arizona Revised Statute 28-903.F is the law responsible for lane filtering being legal in Arizona. It was passed because of the high percentage of rear end collisions involving motorcycles stopped at red lights. If you were involved in a rear end collision as a motorcyclist and were harmed due to another driver’s negligence, we recommend getting in contact with a personal injury lawyer.

How the New Lane Filtering Law Passed



Maricopa County saw the greatest number of injuries and fatalities from vehicular collisions in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Transportation recently recorded an increase in collisions.

Rear ending is the most common form of collision in Arizona. This poses a greater risk for motorcyclists who don’t have the safety benefits afforded by cars, trucks and SUVs. Lane filtering is a way of providing motorcyclists with a safe way to avoid being rear ended at traffic lights. Riders should remain cautious of the potential of a driver running a red light or drifting into them and causing a collision.

The law went into effect September 24, 2022.

Who Advocated for the New Lane Filtering Law?

Senate Bill 1273 passed through Arizona House and Senate chambers and received bipartisan support for its ability to supply greater roadway safety. It was sponsored by Taylor Pace who clarified that lane filtering was different from lane splitting.

Lane filtering was also strongly advocated for by motorcyclist leagues, most notably by Michael Infanzon of the American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education (ABATE).

The bill was passed by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and was signed by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey in March 2022. It was modeled after Utah’s lane filtering laws.

What Was the Previous Law

Previously, lane filtering was not legal in Arizona and continues to be illegal in many states in the U.S. Lane filtering is currently only explicitly legal in four states: Arizona, California, Utah and Nevada. Some states, like New Mexico and Texas, have no clear legislation on the matter.

If You Are Motorcyclist Who was Injured in a Collision, Consider Contacting a PHX Elite Lawyer

Should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of needing legal aid after a collision, one of the highly experienced personal injury law firms listed on our site may be able to help. Every personal injury lawyer listed on PHX Elite Lawyers has a proven record of success in court and is well respected in the legal community.