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What does Louisiana law say about distracted driving?

by | Jul 2, 2021 | Car Accidents

Experts agree that distracted driving is one of the most dangerous things a person can do behind the wheel. Driving while distracted by your phone, food, makeup or anything else takes away from your ability to focus and perceive the world around you. In other words, it sharply increases the risk of a serious car accident.

Louisiana’s texting and driving law

State governments determine most traffic laws. Each U.S. state has different rules when it comes to distracted driving. Louisiana’s anti-distracted driving law prohibits texting and using social media apps while driving and bans all cellphone use while driving in a school zone. But unless a driver happens to be in a school zone, the law lets them talk on the phone while driving with the phone in their hand. Many states have banned talking on the phone while driving, saying that it is another dangerous form of distracted driving.

Bill to expand the definition of distracted driving fails

In June, the Louisiana State Senate considered a bill that would have expanded the distracted driving law to ban phone calls while driving. But the bill failed by one vote. At least two senators said the bill would have infringed on drivers’ personal freedoms.

A distracted driver can hurt more than themselves

When a driver acts negligently, such as by distracted themselves with their phone, they do not only put themselves at risk of serious harm. They do the same thing to other people on the road. Distracted driving car crashes are virtually always completely preventable. Nobody needs to text and drive at the same time. Therefore, when a distracted driver causes a wreck, they are financially responsible for any injuries they caused other drivers, passengers or pedestrians.