News Summary
Starting August 1, 2023, Louisiana implements a new law prohibiting handheld phone use while driving. House Bill 519 aims to enhance road safety by allowing only hands-free systems. Violators will face fines, with stricter penalties in school and construction zones. The law’s effectiveness will be evaluated from 2027, aiming to reduce distracted driving accidents and improve overall road safety for Louisiana residents.
BATON ROUGE, LA – A new law in Louisiana prohibiting the use of handheld phones while driving will take effect on August 1, 2023. The legislation, known as House Bill 519 and formally recognized as Act No. 288, was signed into law by Governor Jeff Landry and aims to enhance road safety by reducing instances of distracted driving.
Under this law, drivers are only permitted to use hands-free systems which include speakerphones, earbuds, headsets, and devices mounted on their dashboards. The new regulations allow for making voice calls and utilizing navigation systems while driving; however, any other form of phone use, such as texting, emailing, or accessing apps, will remain illegal while the vehicle is in motion. This includes uses that may be facilitated by hands-free technology.
Important to note, the restrictions of this law do not apply when a vehicle is stationary, such as when parked or stopped at red lights. Additionally, it includes exceptions for emergency situations—for instance, making a 911 call. Certain professional drivers and emergency responders utilizing mounted communication devices may also be exempt from this ban.
Penalties for violating the new hands-free driving law can initiate fines of $100. In school and highway construction zones, fines are heightened to $250. However, enforcement of these fines will not begin until January 1, 2026, allowing for a transitional period where drivers will only receive warnings for infractions prior to this date.
While police cannot stop drivers solely for the violation of handheld phone use, this law classifies the offense as secondary outside of school or construction zones, where it is considered a primary offense. Furthermore, law enforcement officers are not permitted to search or confiscate a driver’s phone based solely on a violation of this legislation.
This new law is designed to be uniformly enforced across the state, overriding any existing local ordinances pertaining to phone use while driving. The Louisiana State Police and the Department of Transportation will collect and analyze distracted driving crash data from 2027 to 2032 to evaluate the law’s effectiveness in curbing distracted driving incidents.
Lawmakers expressed that this proactive measure is critical, especially in light of the concerning rise in fatalities and injuries attributed to distracted driving. With increased compliance, they expect not only a reduction in accidents but also a potential decline in auto insurance rates for Louisiana residents.
As the implementation date approaches, it is essential for all drivers in Louisiana to familiarize themselves with the specifics of this new law. Ensuring compliance will play a vital role in enhancing road safety and protecting all who share the road.
The hands-free law marks a significant shift in Louisiana’s approach to driving safety, aligning the state with ongoing national efforts to combat the dangers of distracted driving. By adopting these new regulations, Louisiana hopes to pave the way for safer roads and communities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NOLA: Louisiana Law Bans Handheld Phone Use While Driving
- WWLTV: Louisiana Hands-Free Driving Law
- FOX 8: Louisiana Bans Handheld Phone Use While Driving
- WGNO: New Distracted Driving Law in Louisiana
- 103.3 The Goat: Louisiana Hands-Free Laws
- Wikipedia: Distracted Driving
- Google Search: Louisiana Hands-Free Driving Law
- Google Scholar: Distracted Driving Laws
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Distracted Driving
- Google News: Distracted Driving Louisiana
