They were trying to pass on the right on a motorcycle:

George Clooney suffered a broken rib and minor scrapes yesterday afternoon when a car collided with the motorcycle he was riding on Boulevard East, the actor’s spokesman and police officials said.

Weehawken Police Sgt. Sean Kelly said the collision occurred at 3:30 p.m. as Clooney and friend Sarah Larson were traveling north on Boulevard East and sped up to pass on the right a 1999 Mazda Millenia that was preparing to make a right turn. The crash occurred between Bonn Place and King Avenue, said Jeff Welz, co-director of North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue.

Kelly said it is not known if the driver of the other vehicle, identified by police as Albert Ciancalepore, 27, of Weehawken, had used his turn signal. Ciancalepore told NBC-TV last night that he said he was trying to make a right-hand turn and Clooney cut him off.

“It’s a he-said, she-said right now, but you can’t pass on the right in Weehawken or anywhere in Jersey,” Kelly said.

Everybody in NJ passes on the right, especially motorcycles.