by New Law in Louisiana: Fines or Jail for Hogging the Left Lane
A new law has come into effect in Louisiana, imposing strict penalties on drivers who persistently occupy the left lane of traffic. From now on, a first offense will result in a $150 fine, a second offense – $250, and for the third and subsequent offenses within a 12-month period – a $350 fine or up to 30 days of arrest.
The law, called Act 24 (SB 11), aims to reduce the number of dangerous situations on the roads associated with passing on the right and congestion caused by slow drivers in the left lane. As stated by Senator Jay Luneau, who initiated the bill:
This is something we face every week.
However, not everyone supports the new rules. Some legislators believe it is just an additional pretext for police to stop drivers.
Other Changes for Drivers
In addition to fines for the left lane, Louisiana has also strengthened liability for uninsured drivers. They are now required to personally cover damages up to $100,000 even if they did not cause the accident. The permissible level of window tinting has also been reduced – it now cannot exceed 25% instead of the previous 40%. Furthermore, using a phone while operating a vehicle without hands-free mode is now prohibited.
These legislative changes reflect an attempt by the authorities to make the roads safer, but they are also causing controversy among drivers. A particularly significant question is how effectively the new rules will be implemented in practice, given the traditionally high level of automobile traffic in the region.
