12/31/2025
📌 LOUISIANA HANDS‑FREE LAW — IMPORTANT SAFETY UPDATE:
Beginning January 1, 2026, law enforcement in Louisiana will begin issuing citations (not just warnings) to drivers who violate the state’s new hands‑free driving law enacted by the Legislature under House Bill 519.
WHAT THE LAW PROHIBITS:
• Holding or physically supporting a phone or wireless telecommunications device while operating a motor vehicle on public roads and highways.
• This includes talking, texting, browsing apps, social media, composing or reading messages, or using features that require manual input.
• Simply having a phone in hand—even if on speaker—while driving (including while stopped at traffic lights or in traffic) is not permitted.
WHAT IS ALLOWED:
✅ Hands‑free use only: Phones must be used via Bluetooth, voice commands, mounted devices, or other hands‑free systems while the vehicle is in motion.
✅ Navigation: Viewing or using a hands‑free navigation system that does not require holding the device.
✅ Emergency use: Using a phone to report emergencies, accidents, hazards, or if you reasonably believe someone’s safety is at risk.
âś… Lawfully stationary: Phone use is allowed when the vehicle is legally parked and not driving.
⚠️ Note: Being stopped at traffic signals or in moving traffic is not considered lawfully stationary for the purpose of the law.
(Effective Jan. 1, 2026):
• First offense: $100 fine
• Higher fines: Violations in school zones or construction zones carry increased penalties
• Repeat offenses: Fines increase for subsequent violations; more serious consequences may apply
WHY IT MATTERS:
Louisiana’s hands‑free law is designed to reduce distracted driving—a major cause of traffic crashes. By restricting handheld phone use, the state aims to improve driver focus, reduce collisions, and enhance road safety for all motorists, pedestrians, and workers in school and construction zones.
"SERVING OUR COMMUNITY" 🇺🇲
