Lane Splitting on Texas Roads
What You Need to Know
Lane splitting is a controversial topic. Is it legal? Should it be legal? The truth is if you are a motorcyclist or ride a bicycle on roadways, you know how dangerous lane splitting can be. Accidents caused by lane splitting can often be deadly. Lane splitting is often referred to as stripe-riding or white-lining. It’s a practice where motorcyclists or bicycle riders move between lanes or rows of slow-moving vehicles in the same direction. From one perspective, the riders can save more time and bypass traffic congestion. However, if we consider safety, then it’s clear the better alternative is for riders to stop behind stationary vehicles rather than navigate alongside them.
December 2016 when Kirk Watson, a former Texas senator, proposed a bill that could favor lane splitting. However, the bill died while in committee and never became law. Watson’s bill would have allowed motorcycles operating on a limited- access highway to split lanes if the rider operates the motorcycle in the following ways: * At a speed that does not exceed that of other vehicles by more than 5 mph * In traffic that is moving at a speed not greater than 20 mph While everyone waits to see if lawmakers eventually pass a bill on lane splitting, the act is still considered illegal in the state. It’s expected that all vehicles (including motorcycles) stay in a single lane of traffic on roads that are marked into lanes. If there’s a need for vehicles to change lanes, then they must do so only when it’s safe. Without a doubt, commute times for motorcyclists will become shorter if a bill like this becomes law. However, accidents caused by lane splitting are challenging in many ways, and the law never goes easy on the motorcyclist. While we anticipate a faster commute in the future for motorcyclists, the $175 fine still stands for lane-splitting violations in the meantime.
Texas law has never been in favor of lane splitting. It’s always been a “no” for motorcycle riders, no matter
what the excuse may be. There was a possibility for change in
Sudoku
No-Churn S’mores Ice Cream
July is National Ice Cream Month, so why not cool off with some sweet, homemade s’mores ice cream? You don’t even need an ice cream churn!
INGREDIENTS
* * *
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
* *
1 chocolate bar, chopped
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups whipping cream, chilled
10 graham crackers, crushed
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, graham crackers, and chocolate. 2 . In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat whipping cream until peaks form, about 3 minutes.
3. Fold whipping cream into the
condensed milk mixture. Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze for at least 8 hours. 4. Serve and enjoy on a hot summer day. It’s especially delicious in a waffle cone!
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