New traffic laws take effect in Louisiana

Several new traffic laws have gone into effect in Louisiana following the 2018 regular session of the Louisiana Legislature. Among those new laws are stiffer penalties for DWI convictions, new laws concerning driving through flooded areas and the use of off-road vehicles on public streets.

“The overall tone of the new legislation is one of seriousness toward traffic safety, as well as respect for measures of accountability,” said Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman.

Act 198 levies an additional $50 fine for use of a breath-testing instrument for anyone convicted of driving while intoxicated.

“Convictions for impaired driving carry significant financial consequences, and this new law demonstrates that by the notable increase from $75 to $125 for this special assessment,” Freeman said.

Act 508 allows judges to extend probation for up to eight years for people convicted of third- and fourth-offense DWI in a “specialty court program,” making substance abuse treatment a more feasible possibility.

“This new law recognizes the importance of a specialty court program, such as DWI court, and the appropriateness of extended substance abuse treatment for repeat impaired drivers,” Freeman said.

A new law regarding the careless operation of a motor vehicle during flood conditions has also gone into effect, and was designed to “protect lives and property from drivers who cause dangerous wakes.” This particular law carries a penalty of up to 250 hours of community service and a two-year suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.

All-terrain vehicles not designed for public road use, including three-wheelers, four-wheelers and dirt bikes, are also now subject to a new law regarding the reckless operation of an off-road vehicle on a public road. This new law can carry a penalty of up to $500 and 90 days in jail, plus forfeiture and destruction of the off-road vehicle. Under this new law, reckless operation is defined as forcing another vehicle to leave the road, colliding with a vehicle or person, speeding, driving in the wrong direction, disregarding traffic signs or signals, impeding traffic, wheelies and stunts, harassing other drivers and corralling an occupied vehicle or pedestrian.

This article originally published in the August 13, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.