Navajo Nation Council allows motorcycles to filter between lanes of stopped traffic

The 25th Navajo Nation Council approved legislation that allows motorcycles to filter between lanes of stopped traffic under narrowly defined conditions, the Office of the Speaker said.

Legislation No. 0064-26 amends Title 14 of the Navajo Nation Code and was sponsored by Council Delegate Vince R. James, according to a release dated July 27.

The legislation authorizes operators of two-wheeled motorcycles to carefully overtake stopped vehicles by traveling between lanes. It permits lane filtering only on roadways with at least two lanes traveling in the same direction where the posted speed limit does not exceed 45 mph, and it requires motorcycles to travel no faster than 15 mph while filtering.

In the release, Delegate James said: “Public safety is the driving force behind this legislation, and it establishes clear standards for when and how motorcycle lane filtering may occur.”

The release said the change aligns portions of the Nation’s traffic laws with neighboring jurisdictions while prioritizing motorcyclist safety.

The legislation was developed in response to evolving traffic safety practices and recognizes that motorcyclists face an increased risk of rear-end collisions when stopped in congested traffic, according to the release.