[longboat]

... Same goes for motorcyclists splitting lanes illegally.

Not to get too far off-topic here, but lane-splitting, or rather, lane-sharing, is legal in many states. Or, more accurately, it is not illegal. Unless it is specifically illegal in your state, a motorcyclist cannot be ticketed for it. OTOH, if the motorcyclist is being an idiot, they can be ticketed for reckless driving. There're always a few bad ones out there that make life hard on the rest of us...

 

[longboat]

Back in my motorcycling days, I was under the impression that lane splitting was only allowed in California. I don't think it's legal in NC, but the law could have changed since I last rode.

I know that in Texas, there is no law for or against it. This was according to the Texas State Trooper who taught my MSF course. It is that way in many states, i.e. - no laws specifically for or against it. The reason you see it occur more in CA is because it is more socially accepted in that state. It may not be a good idea to do it much in TX because ******* Bubba may not think it's right or fair and may take offense to it (which could be lethal to the smaller vehicle).

With that being said, you can be ticketed for reckless driving. That may be warranted or not, and could depend in large part on whether the ticketing officer is also a motorcyclist. There are still a lot of officers that don't have a full knowledge of traffic laws in their jurisdiction, especially when it comes to something uncommon like use of headlight modulators on motorcycles.

 

[longboat]

Several bills legalizing lane splitting here in Texas have been introduced over the years, but none have passed.

"The main statute that makes 'lane splitting' illegal is Transportation Code Section 545.060, entitled 'Driving on Roadway Laned for Traffic.'"

TxDPS - MSU FAQs

TRANSPORTATION CODE CHAPTER 545. OPERATION AND MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES

That may be why the DPS trooper referred to it as lane-sharing, rather than lane-splitting. As long as you stay within the lane, you are legal. It is no different than two motorcycles riding abreast in a single lane. Now, replace or even of those motorcycles with a car, and you still have lane-sharing and should still be legal. So, technically, it should be legal. That doesn't mean it is a good idea!