Proposal to Make it Legal for Motorcycles to Ride Side-By-Side in Same Lane in Virginia Passes House | Gainesville Motorcycle Traffic Attorney

Virginia motorcyclists have not liked that they cannot ride side-by-side in the same lane since 1968. Nobody knows for certain why this law took effect but some are citing that there is no statistical data proving that motorcycles traveling two abreast in a single lane is more hazardous than riding staggered. The proposal to remove this motorcycle law from Virginia's books was sponsored by 26th District Delegate Tony Wilt and 18th District Delegate Michael Webert and was overwhelming passed in the House by an 80-19 vote.



Joe Morrissey, 74th District Delegate, strongly opposed the proposal to allow side-by-side motorcycle travel stating:
"Low-speed, two-abreast riding is one thing but motorcyclists riding that way at highway speeds can’t guess what the other rider will do if there’s an animal, road debris or even just a pothole to dodge. I love motorcycle riding. I’ve been doing it since I was 13-years-old. But that’s just a bad (proposal).”
Although Morrissey is convinced that this reversal will cause more fatal motorcycle accidents, supporters believe that by allowing two motorcycles to ride abreast in the same lane in Virginia would be safer since two bikes are easier to see during the day and double the lights would also make the bikes more visible to other drivers at night. Increased visibility is always a concern for riders since a majority of motorcycle accidents occur because drivers in cars claim to not have seen the bike before the crash.
The proposal is now on to the Senate Transportation Committee and, if approved, will head to the Senate for review.
If you have been charged with speeding, reckless driving, suspended license, drunk driving DUI / DWI, or other serious traffic offense while operating your motorcycle in Gainesville, Virginia, contact the Parrish Law Firm for a free evaluation of your traffic case.
Sources:

• WSET-TV ABC 13 - Will Virginia Reverse Motorcycle Law?
• WTVR CBS 6 Richmond - Will reversing motorcycle law be dangerous? Bill to allow side-by-side motorcycle travel
• Washington Post - Va House OKs allowing motorcyclists to ride 2 abreast in a single lane, not just single file

*v