Many Arizonans are passionate about motorcycling. The weather is favorable all year round, and a motorcycle is a fantastic way to enjoy the spectacular desert scenery.
It is essential for bikers to understand Prescott motorcycle traffic laws. Following these requirements can help keep you safe while riding and also helps counter insurance company prejudice if you have an accident and file a claim.
Contact an attorney at Phillips Law Group if you are injured in a motorcycle accident. One of our experienced legal professionals can advocate strongly on your behalf and ensure you receive appropriate compensation for your injuries.
Motorcycle Operators Need a License
Arizona has its own class of license for motorcycle operators, called Class M. If the operator also has a driver’s license, the motorcycle license is an endorsement on their driver’s license.
Applicants must be at least 15 years and six months old to receive an instructional permit. If they do not have another license, they must pass written tests for driver’s and motorcycle operator’s licenses. People with driver’s licenses only need to pass the motorcycle operator’s test.
Anyone over 16 who has held an instructional permit for at least six months can apply for a Class M license or endorsement. Applicants under 18 must prove they took an approved motorcycle safety course or submit a signed statement by their parent stating that they have had at least 30 hours of practice.
Some Safety Equipment Is Mandatory
Arizona’s helmet law applies only to operators and passengers under 18. Riders and passengers 18 and older can choose not to wear helmets. However, if a rider sustains an injury in an accident, the fact that they were not wearing a helmet can complicate a claim for compensation.
Eye protection is mandatory regardless of a rider’s age. When a motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen, the rider does not have to wear goggles or other eye protection.
If an injured person is partially responsible for the incident, they must absorb a percentage of their losses equal to their degree of fault. An insurance company or jury might decide that choosing not to wear a helmet makes an injured biker partially responsible for their injuries. Depending on the circumstances, a Prescott attorney could point out that the law does not require motorcycle helmets for adult riders and introduce evidence that a helmet might not have prevented a specific injury.
Laws Pertaining to Motorcycle Operation
In general, motorcycles must follow the same traffic laws as other vehicles. They must obey the speed limit, signal before changing lanes, and cannot use the shoulder of the highway except in emergencies. Arizona Statute §28-903 includes additional laws that govern motorcycle operation.
Motorcycles have the use of an entire lane of traffic. They may ride two abreast with another motorcycle but may not ride abreast of or pass an enclosed vehicle in the same lane.
Lane splitting, where motorcycles pass between vehicles traveling in an adjacent lane, is prohibited, but lane filtering, where motorcycles pass vehicles stopped in traffic, is allowed with limitations. The street must have two adjacent lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction, the speed limit must not exceed 45 miles per hour, and the biker must not travel more than 15 miles per hour. When an accident occurs while a motorcyclist is filtering, there may be accusations that the biker was at fault; a Prescott accident attorney could counter those accusations by proving that the motorcyclist adhered to the provisions of the law.
Consult a Prescott Attorney About Laws Governing Motorcycles
Unfortunately, even when you do everything right you could still get into an accident and suffer injuries. Knowing the Prescott motorcycle traffic laws and obeying them can smooth the claims process after an injury.
Contact Phillips Law Group for help immediately. We offer complimentary consultations and accept no fee unless we obtain a recovery. Get in touch today.
(602) 222-2222 
