No, lane splitting remains illegal in Chile under the Ley de Tránsito (Decreto Supremo 170/2008), with motorcyclists prohibited from overtaking between vehicles in traffic. The Subsecretaría de Transportes enforces this via Article 145, citing safety risks and infrastructure limitations. Recent 2026 draft amendments propose stricter penalties but retain the ban, reflecting persistent road safety concerns.
Key Regulations for Lane Splitting in Chile
- Article 145 of DS 170/2008: Explicitly prohibits motorcycles from maneuvering between lanes or vehicles, classifying it as a traffic violation.
- Article 192: Imposes fines (UF 0.5–2.0, ~$25–100 USD) and potential license suspension for violations, enforced by Carabineros de Chile.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: Proposed reforms under Proyecto de Ley de Movilidad Urbana aim to codify harsher penalties but do not legalize lane splitting, prioritizing pedestrian and cyclist safety in urban corridors.
Local enforcement prioritizes high-risk zones (e.g., Santiago’s Alameda and Providencia), where Seremi de Transportes conducts targeted patrols. International precedents (e.g., California’s legalization) are cited in debates, yet Chilean policymakers emphasize road design constraints and accident statistics. Motorcyclists must adhere to Ley de Tránsito Article 146, mandating single-file positioning in traffic.