Louisiana is lagging behind when it comes to banning or limiting cell phone use while driving. The state does outlaw texting while driving and grants it primary enforcement by police. However, some safety advocates think the law does not go far enough. The Louisiana legislature, for the past four years, has rejected tougher distracted driving legislation. Legislators introduced a bill this session to ban all cell phone use in the car. The bill does allow for hands-free use, however.
Statistics from the Louisiana Department of Transportation show that cell phone use while driving played a role in 2,788 car crashes in 2011. Of those crashes, five people suffered fatal injuries. Louisiana’s law on cell phone use in the car is as follows:
· Drivers cannot text while driving – there is a $175.00 fine for a first offense and $500.00 for subsequent violations.
· Drivers under age 18 cannot use any electronic devices while driving – this includes phones, computers and portable media players.
· Drivers with a learner’s permit and intermediate licenses cannot use cell phones unless they have a hands-free device.
Although a good idea for safety, some legislators do not think an outright ban on cell phones while driving is realistic. Safety advocates think that legislators hesitate to pass such a ban because the legislators themselves make cell phone use while driving a frequent practice.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans accident lawyers