7 Louisiana Traffic Laws With High Fines

Most people have a general understanding of traffic laws. For example, everyone knows it's illegal to speed or hit another vehicle or a pedestrian and leave the accident scene. Those laws are pretty standard no matter where you drive in the U.S. On that same note, each state has a variety of traffic laws, fines, and requirements unique to that region.

According to Gordon McKernan Injury Attorney's, it's a good idea for drivers to become "well-informed" about Louisiana traffic violations and fees. Two great reasons are to avoid an accident and to avoid unintentionally breaking any laws. For good measure, below are 7 Louisiana traffic laws that carry expensive fines. You may want to familiarize yourself with them.

1.) DO I NEED A DRIVERS LICENCE IN LOUISIANA

Yes. In Louisiana, residents must have an up-to-date license. Failure to comply with the rules stated in LRS 32:52 will result in a license suspension or loss altogether. New state citizens have 30 days to get a state-issued license. Drivers with a license from another state have 90 days to drive in Louisiana before getting an official in-state permit is mandatory.

Punishable with up to a $500 fine and up to six months in jail. Driving without a valid license may result in a misdemeanor charge, up to six months in jail, and a $500 fine.

2.) DO I NEED CAR INSURANCE TO OPERATE A VEHICLE IN LOUISIANA?

Yes. According to LRS 32:861, vehicles registered in Louisiana must have minimum liability coverage from an authorized insurance agency. The only two exceptions to the law are exhibit or forest vehicles and inactive agricultural vehicles.

Punishable with a $500 to $1,000 fine if caught driving without insurance in Louisiana. Your driving privileges can be revoked, your vehicle could be impounded, and your license plates canceled.

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3.) SPEEDING LAWS AND FINES

Louisiana has a 55-mile law, meaning a driver cannot exceed 55 mph unless there is a speed limit sign. Under LRS 32:61, the max speed can be lower or higher than the general 55 mph rule. In addition, considering there are no other violations, speeding fines are as follows:

$115 for speeding 1-9 mph over the posted speed limit.
$215 for speeding 10-14 mph over the posted speed limit.
$240 for speeding 15-20 mph over the posted speed limit.

4.) THE LOUISIANA MOVE OVER LAW

According to law RS 32:71, all drivers must travel in the right lane. The only time a driver can travel in the left lane is when they are attempting to pass the driver in front of them. Once they pass the vehicle, they must move back to the right. Drivers who do not comply can face significant legal penalties, including a fine of up to $200.

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5.) MISDEMEANOR & FELONY TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS

Driving Under the Influence Louisiana RS 14:98 (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)—1st offense (misdemeanor) $300 - $1,000, license suspension, and possible six months in jail. 2nd offense (misdemeanor) $750 - $1,000 for BAC higher than 0.20. It becomes a felony after the third offense, with 1 to 5 years in jail, a 3-year revoked license, and more than a $2,000 fine.
OTHER FELONY VIOLATIONS
Hit-and-run - starting with a $500 fine and/or six months in jail.
Leaving the scene of a crash - starting with a $500 fine and/or six months in jail.
Driving with a revoked license - class D or E driver's license, a fine of up to $500, a maximum of six months in jail, and civil penalties of up to $1,250.
Attempted evasion of a police officer

6.) RECKLESS OPERATION

Reckless driving RS 14:99 doesn't just mean swerving in and out of traffic. In Louisiana, it can mean driving too slow or speeding. DrivingLaws states that this automatic categorization of reckless driving can result in severe penalties, even for first-time offenders: Fines of up to $200, jail time of up to 90 days, suspended license for up to one year, and required traffic school attendance.

7.) RUNNING A RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKET

One of the most common traffic violations in the nation is getting a ticket for running a red light. The circumstances vary depending on simple violations to causing injury or death to other drivers or passengers. According to Louisiana Driving Laws, the 1st offense is around $150-$225.