Is filtering on a motorcycle illegal? Explanation of violations, dangers, and penalties

Is filtering on a motorcycle illegal?

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During commuting and school hours, particularly in urban areas with heavy traffic, "filtering" - where motorcycles weave between cars in lanes - is common.

Filtering sometimes leads to accidents where the motorcycle is not visible in a car's mirror and collides with a car changing lanes or turning right or left. But is motorcycle filtering actually illegal?

Often left to the discretion of the enforcing officer

Filtering is often left to the discretion of police officers and may be overlooked unless it involves a clear violation or dangerous act, such as driving considerably above the speed limit or endangering others.

However, there are also cases where filtering can result in a violation. In the next section, we will explain more specifically the patterns of filtering that are and are not considered violations.

How far is motorcycle filtering acceptable? Patterns that are and are not violations

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Motorcycle filtering is subject to the discretion of the police officer on site, but the following cases are considered violations:

Crossing a solid line
Filtering in a prohibited area
Performing an illegal overtake
Exceeding the speed limit

Let's explain each in detail.

Crossing a solid line

Filtering while changing lanes in an area where lane changes are prohibited is a violation and subject to enforcement.

Lane changes are prohibited on roads with orange lines. However, unlike cars, motorcycles are narrow enough to filter without crossing the lane on some roads, and doing so without crossing the lane often does not result in enforcement.

Furthermore, on roads with white solid lines, it is prohibited to drive across the solid line. If you filter by changing lanes across a solid line, it will be subject to traffic violation enforcement.

When performed in a no-passing zone or under specific conditions

There are sections and situations where vehicles and motorcycles are not allowed to overtake. If you filter and overtake in such sections, you will be subject to enforcement.

Specifically, no-passing zones include pedestrian crossings and railway crossings. Overtaking when another vehicle is already overtaking is also a double overtake and a violation.

Also, when filtering past cars stopped at an intersection for a traffic light and moving in front of them, stopping beyond the stop line at the intersection constitutes a stop line violation or running a red light.

Performing an illegal overtake

In areas with "no passing" signs, passing is generally allowed as long as you don't cross the lane line. However, if there is an additional sign indicating "no passing," then passing is not allowed at all.

Motorcycle filtering often falls under "passing" (moving in front of the car you intend to pass), and enforcement is sometimes left to the discretion of the police officer.

Filtering on expressways using the shoulder

The shoulder of an expressway is provided for emergency vehicles to travel smoothly, and cars and motorcycles are not allowed to drive on it.

Therefore, filtering using the shoulder constitutes a lane usage violation, incurring a fine of 7,000 yen and 2 penalty points.

Exceeding the speed limit

Even if you are driving in the correct lane, filtering at a speed exceeding the speed limit will, of course, be subject to enforcement for speeding.

There have been cases where people, rushing to get to their destination, unknowingly exceeded the speed limit and were issued a traffic ticket. So, while being mindful not to collide with surrounding traffic, it is also important to be aware of your speed, especially when you are in a hurry.

Dangers of motorcycle filtering

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Motorcycle filtering carries various dangers, sometimes escalating into major problems such as arguments with cars that involve the police.

It also increases the risk of accidents. But what are the specific dangers of motorcycle filtering?

Risk of collision

There is a risk of collision with cars or other motorcycles that are changing lanes or turning right or left.

Car and motorcycle mirrors have blind spots. Cars, in particular, tend to have larger blind spots due to pillars (the frame around the windows that supports the roof), making it difficult to notice filtering motorcycles.

Also, it's quite possible to collide with a bicycle when trying to pass a car from the left, only to find a bicycle directly in front of you.

Collision with an open taxi door

There have been cases in the past where a filtering motorcycle collided with a taxi door that opened to let a passenger out.

Not just taxis, but when filtering past any stopped car, there's a risk of a door opening. Collisions can occur when a door opens as a motorcycle tries to weave through.

When filtering between stopped and moving cars, attention tends to be focused on the moving cars, making it easy to overlook a stopped car's door opening, which is dangerous.

Trouble with other traffic

Interfering with a car trying to change lanes can infuriate the driver, leading to trouble with other traffic.

Car drivers often believe they are following traffic rules. This can lead to arguments and disputes with those who find motorcycle filtering unpleasant or who view motorcycles negatively in general.

Difference between "passing" and "overtaking"

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When passing a preceding vehicle, there are two terms: "passing" and "overtaking," and there are clear differences between the two.

We will explain what kind of driving constitutes "passing" and "overtaking." Both new riders and experienced veterans should review this once more.

Difference between "passing" and "overtaking"

Passing refers to moving in front of the preceding vehicle without changing lanes.

Overtaking, on the other hand, involves changing lanes, fully passing the preceding vehicle, and then changing lanes again to position yourself in front of the vehicle you just passed.

The difference between passing and overtaking lies in whether or not you change lanes when moving ahead of the vehicle in front.

Places where overtaking is prohibited

There are locations (sections) where overtaking is prohibited, and performing an overtake in the following places constitutes a traffic violation:

Intersections and within 30m before an intersection
Pedestrian crossings and within 30m before a pedestrian crossing
Railway crossings and within 30m before a railway crossing
Sections where overtaking is prohibited by signs
Inside tunnels (excluding those with traffic lanes)
Near road bends
Steep downhill slopes
Near the crest of an uphill slope
Bicycle crossings and within 30m before a bicycle crossing

Overtaking in these sections constitutes a traffic violation, incurring a fine of 6,000 yen for mopeds, 7,000 yen for vehicles over 125cc, and 2 penalty points.

Filtering before a pedestrian crossing is particularly dangerous. Accidents frequently occur where a vehicle ahead stops before a pedestrian crossing, and a motorcycle filtering past it collides with a pedestrian crossing the road. Therefore, extra caution is required.

Overtaking is also prohibited outside designated no-overtaking zones.

In addition to the aforementioned no-overtaking zones, there are times when you should not overtake, either because it is prohibited or to prevent accidents and trouble, such as:

When the vehicle/motorcycle ahead is trying to overtake another vehicle/motorcycle (double overtaking)
When a vehicle/motorcycle behind is trying to overtake your motorcycle
When the vehicle/motorcycle ahead is trying to turn right or left
When the vehicle/motorcycle ahead is trying to change lanes to turn right or left
When it would obstruct the path of the vehicle/motorcycle ahead

Overtaking at these times can lead to enforcement for violations or increase the risk of traffic accidents.

Even if an accident is avoided, it can still lead to trouble with the vehicle or motorcycle whose path was obstructed. Furthermore, with the increasing number of vehicles and motorcycles equipped with dashcams, dangerous behavior may even be posted on video sharing sites.

Which does filtering fall under?

If you pass a vehicle ahead without changing lanes, it is considered "passing." If you cross the lane to pass, it is "overtaking."

While filtering itself is not a violation under the Road Traffic Act, filtering that crosses a solid orange line or occurs in a no-overtaking zone is subject to police enforcement as a traffic violation.

Penalties for motorcycle filtering

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While motorcycle filtering itself does not have penalties under the Road Traffic Act and is not considered a violation, depending on how it's done, it can be ticketed as a violation.

Filtering that is subject to traffic violations includes the following:

When it becomes an overtake in a no-overtaking zone
When it becomes an overtake at a prohibited time for overtaking
When filtering by crossing a white or yellow solid line

When it becomes an overtake in a no-overtaking zone

There are several zones where overtaking is prohibited, such as intersections, within 30 meters before an intersection, inside railway crossings, or within 30 meters before a railway crossing. Overtaking in these places constitutes a traffic violation.

The penalty for illegal overtaking is a fine of 6,000 yen for mopeds and 7,000 yen for vehicles over 125cc, with 2 penalty points. However, if the vehicle being overtaken is a moped, it is not considered an overtake.

When it becomes an overtake at a prohibited time for overtaking

There are times when overtaking is prohibited, such as double overtaking (overtaking when the vehicle/motorcycle ahead is already overtaking) or when the vehicle/motorcycle ahead is changing lanes to turn right or left.

If you overtake at such times, the fine is 6,000 yen for mopeds and 7,000 yen for vehicles over 125cc, with 2 penalty points for a traffic violation.

When filtering by crossing a white or yellow solid line

It is prohibited to overtake by crossing a white or yellow solid center line. If you do cross it to overtake, it constitutes a "crossing the line while overtaking" violation.

The penalty for violating the "crossing the line while overtaking" rule is a fine of 6,000 yen for mopeds and 7,000 yen for vehicles over 125cc, along with 2 penalty points.

Even if the car in front is driving slowly in the middle, overtaking by crossing a yellow center line is a violation. So, be careful about crossing the line while overtaking.

Motorcycle filtering accidents: Who is at fault?

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Accidents involving motorcycle filtering are relatively common, and if an accident occurs, issues of compensation arise, so many may wonder who is at fault.

The determination of fault depends on the circumstances of the accident, such as how the filtering occurred. We will discuss the fault ratios based on past examples of filtering accidents.

Accident between a left-turning vehicle and a filtering motorcycle

In an accident where a motorcycle attempting to filter collided with a car that had begun to turn left, the fault ratio is 20% for the motorcycle and 80% for the car.

Both cars and motorcycles are fundamentally required to check for filtering vehicles from behind when making a left turn. The car is assigned 80% fault for neglecting this check.

After an oncoming car yielded, a right-turning vehicle collided with a filtering motorcycle.

This is a case where an oncoming vehicle yielded, allowing a right-turning car to proceed, and that car then collided with a motorcycle that had filtered past the yielding vehicle.

The motorcycle was found to be at fault for failing to look ahead, and the car for failing to proceed slowly, resulting in a fault ratio of 20% for the motorcycle and 80% for the car.

A filtering motorcycle collided with a taxi door opening for a passenger to alight.

This is a door-opening accident where a filtering motorcycle collided with a taxi door that opened for a passenger to alight.

In this case, the taxi was found to be at fault for violating its duty to confirm the rear before opening the door, and the motorcycle for failing to look ahead. The fault ratio is 10% for the motorcycle and 90% for the car (taxi).

Summary

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We have discussed motorcycle filtering, from basic definitions like the difference between passing and overtaking, to case studies of filtering accidents.

As of June 2023, filtering itself does not have specific penalties and is not considered a violation. However, filtering by crossing a lane in a no-overtaking zone can be subject to police enforcement.

Furthermore, filtering frequently leads to accidents, and disputes with other vehicles are common. Therefore, extreme caution is necessary when filtering.