Distracted Driving Law: From August 1, drivers in this US state face $100 fines for… Here's what law says, what is banned, exemptions, penalties
What the new Louisiana Distracted Driving Law Says?
Under the new law, Louisiana drivers will be fined if they are found using handheld devices while operating a vehicle. The base fine will be $100. If the offense takes place in a school zone or a construction area, the fine will increase to $250.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Please select course:
Select a Course Category
Cybersecurity
Artificial Intelligence
MBA
Leadership
Degree
Finance
Project Management
Public Policy
others
Healthcare
Data Science
Digital Marketing
Others
Design Thinking
Management
PGDM
Technology
Product Management
Data Science
MCA
Data Analytics
CXO
healthcare
Operations Management
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
10 Months
MIT xPRO
CERT-MIT xPRO PGC in Cybersecurity
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
Louisiana Distracted Driving Law: What Is Banned?
The law specifically prohibits writing, reading, or sending text-based communication. It also bans accessing or posting on social media. Even if drivers are using hands-free systems, texting or emailing is still not allowed.
However, the law does not prohibit all phone use. Drivers may still answer calls using hands-free devices like Apple Watches. They are also allowed to use their phones while waiting at a red light.
Louisiana Distracted Driving Law: What Exemptions are Included?
Certain individuals and situations are exempt from the law. Paramedics using radios and drivers reporting an accident are allowed to use devices. These exceptions ensure emergency and critical communication is not hindered.
Live Events
Also Read:
How Social Security works? Here's how many Americans understand the basics as per AARP Survey
Louisiana Distracted Driving Law: When will Penalties Begin?
Although the law will take effect on August 1, 2025, Louisiana has announced a grace period. During this period, no fines will be issued. Enforcement will begin in January 2026, giving drivers time to adapt to the new rules.
Louisiana Distracted Driving Law: Why Was the Law Introduced?
According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, over one-fourth of all car accidents involve cell phone use. This includes both handheld and hands-free devices. This data prompted the state to strengthen its distracted driving laws.
Governor Jeff Landry commented, 'Finally, this year we were able to pass a distracted driving bill.' He emphasized the law's role in reducing crashes.
Similar Laws in Other States
Louisiana is not alone in passing stricter distracted driving laws. Pennsylvania introduced the 'Paul Miller's Law' in June 2025. This law bans phone use even when drivers are stopped at red lights. It includes a grace period, and fines will start in June 2026. Iowa also enacted a hands-free law on July 1, 2025. Fines will begin in January 2026 and start at $100.
Alaska once had one of the nation's harshest penalties for texting and driving. Fines went up to $10,000. However, enforcing the law was difficult, so penalties were reduced.
Also Read:
What to Watch This Weekend: New movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV, HBO Max and more
What Other Behaviors Cause Distractions?
Distracted driving includes more than just phone use. Other common distractions are:
Adjusting radio or GPS settings
Applying makeup
Eating and drinking
Reaching into the backseat
Searching glove compartments or purses
These actions take attention away from the road and hands off the wheel, increasing accident risks.
How Drivers Can Prevent Distractions?
To avoid distractions, drivers can:
Enable 'Do Not Disturb' or 'Driving Mode' on phones
Place phones in glove boxes or the back seat
Park before responding to texts or calls
Allow passengers to handle communications
Demonstrate safe driving to others
These actions help reduce accidents and promote safer roads.
FAQs
What does Louisiana's distracted driving law ban?
It bans texting, emailing, and using social media while driving, even with hands-free systems. Calls are allowed only through hands-free devices.
When will Louisiana start issuing fines?
Although the law starts on August 1, 2025, fines will not be enforced until January 2026 due to a grace period.
Economic Times WhatsApp channel
)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
24 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump Environmental Protection Agency moves to repeal finding that allows climate regulation
President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday proposed revoking a scientific finding that has long been the central basis for U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. The proposed Environmental Protection Agency rule rescinds a 2009 declaration that determined that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology others Project Management Finance Degree Data Science Management Public Policy Artificial Intelligence Others Cybersecurity MCA CXO healthcare Data Science Healthcare MBA Operations Management Product Management Leadership Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details The "endangerment finding" is the legal underpinning of a host of climate regulations under the Clean Air Act for motor vehicles, power plants and other pollution sources that are heating the planet. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the proposed rule change on a podcast ahead of an official announcement set for Tuesday in Indiana. Repealing the endangerment finding "will be the largest deregulatory action in the history of America," Zeldin said on the Ruthless podcast. Live Events Zeldin called for a rewrite of the endangerment finding in March as part of a series of environmental rollbacks announced at the same time in what Zeldin said was "the greatest day of deregulation in American history.'' A total of 31 key environmental rules on topics from clean air to clean water and climate change would be rolled back or repealed under Zeldin's plan. He singled out the endangerment finding as "the Holy Grail of the climate change religion" and said he was thrilled to end it "as the EPA does its part to usher in the Golden Age of American success.'' Tailpipe emission limits also targeted The EPA also called for rescinding limits on tailpipe emissions that were designed to encourage automakers to build and sell more electric vehicles. The transportation sector is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Three former EPA leaders have criticized Zeldin, saying his March proposal would endanger the lives of millions of Americans and abandon the agency's dual mission to protect the environment and human health. "If there's an endangerment finding to be found anywhere, it should be found on this administration because what they're doing is so contrary to what the Environmental Protection Agency is about," Christine Todd Whitman, who led EPA under Republican President George W. Bush, said after Zeldin's plan was made public. The EPA proposal follows an executive order from Trump that directed the agency to submit a report "on the legality and continuing applicability" of the endangerment finding. Conservatives and some congressional Republicans hailed the initial plan, calling it a way to undo economically damaging rules to regulate greenhouse gases. But environmental groups, legal experts and Democrats said any attempt to repeal or roll back the endangerment finding would be an uphill task with slim chance of success. The finding came two years after a 2007 Supreme Court ruling holding that the EPA has authority to regulate greenhouse gases as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Passing court muster could be an issue David Doniger, a climate expert at the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental group, said it was virtually "impossible to think that the EPA could develop a contradictory finding (to the 2009 standard) that would stand up in court." Doniger and other critics accused Trump's Republican administration of using potential repeal of the endangerment finding as a "kill shot'' that would allow him to make all climate regulations invalid. If finalized, repeal of the endangerment finding would erase current limits on greenhouse gas pollution from cars, factories, power plants and other sources and could prevent future administrations from proposing rules to tackle climate change. "The Endangerment Finding is the legal foundation that underpins vital protections for millions of people from the severe threats of climate change, and the Clean Car and Truck Standards are among the most important and effective protections to address the largest U.S. source of climate-causing pollution,'' said Peter Zalzal, associate vice president of the Environmental Defense Fund. "Attacking these safeguards is manifestly inconsistent with EPA's responsibility to protect Americans' health and well-being,'' he said. "It is callous, dangerous and a breach of our government's responsibility to protect the American people from this devastating pollution."
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Who is Holly? Vivek Ramaswamy shares update on Cincinnati street brawl victim; blames 'leftist' safety policies
Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy on Monday condemned a violent street brawl in downtown Cincinnati that went viral over the weekend, using the incident to call out what he described as failed public safety policies in Democrat-led cities. Sharing a post on X, Ramaswamy said he had spoken with one of the victims of the assault, a woman named Holly, whom he described as a single working mother. He criticised the lack of law enforcement presence during the Friday night incident. "It's unconscionable that there were no police present in that area of Cincinnati on a Friday night, or even an ambulance to take her to the hospital. Hard-working Americans shouldn't have to worry for their safety when they have a good time in our cities," he wrote on X. He also noted that Holly told him no local or state officials had reached out to her as of Monday afternoon, aside from one police detective. "Leftists like to lecture about 'systemic injustice' while thugs turn our turn cities into war zones. I'm done with their excuses," he added. Promising a tougher approach to crime if elected in 2026, Ramaswamy vowed, "As governor, I'll make sure they're behind bars, not running wild. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Our cops will have the green light to restore order—no apologies. Holly appreciates the kind words and prayers from patriots across the country, and hopes that the publicity around her story ensures that local & state leaders clean up our failing cities." Who is Holly? The violent brawl occurred early Saturday morning and was captured in disturbing footage that quickly spread online. The video shows a man being chased into the street, shoved to the ground, and beaten by a crowd. One individual body-slams him while others kick and stomp him. As the man tries to get up, a woman, later identified as Holly rushes to help, only to be punched twice in the face. She collapses to the pavement, hitting her head and bleeding from the mouth as the crowd continues to cheer. The clip has sparked outrage and renewed calls for better safety and policing in urban areas. Ramaswamy said Holly appreciated the support she received from people across the country and hopes the incident prompts local leaders to take serious action. Cincinnati Police chief Teresa Theetge announced on Monday that five people have been charged in connection with a violent street fight that broke out over the weekend in downtown Cincinnati. While the names of those charged have not been made public, Theetge said the department is using every available investigative method. Theetge expressed frustration over the lack of immediate public response, revealing that despite around 100 people being present, either involved in or watching the violence, with some even filming it, only one person called the police. Vice President JD Vance was among those who criticised the attack, saying he was appalled by footage showing "a grown man who sucker punched a middle-aged woman." "That person ought to go to jail for a very long time — and frankly, he's lucky there weren't some better people around because they would've handled it themselves," Vance said. Vance described the attackers as a "mob of lawless thugs" and called for harsh punishment. He said: "What I saw, and I haven't seen the full context, but what I saw is a mob of lawless thugs beating up on an innocent person. The only way to destroy that street violence is to take the thugs who engaged in that violence and throw their asses in prison." Other leaders, including Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, also condemned the violence, calling for justice and stronger community responsibility.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Encounter breaks out between police and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Sukma
An encounter broke out between security forces and Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Tuesday morning, a senior police official said. The exchange of fire started out on a forested hill in the district when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxal operation in the area, he said. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Technology Degree CXO others Data Science Data Analytics Healthcare Finance Digital Marketing Product Management Data Science Others PGDM Public Policy Design Thinking Leadership Management MCA healthcare MBA Cybersecurity Operations Management Artificial Intelligence Project Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks MIT xPRO CERT-MIT XPRO Building AI Prod India Starts on undefined Get Details Personnel belonging to the Special Task Force (STF), District Reserve Guard (DRG), both units of the state police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), were involved in the operation launched on Monday based on inputs about the presence of Maoists in the area, he said. The operation was still underway and further details were awaited, he added. As many as 225 Naxalites have been killed in separate encounters in Chhattisgarh so far this year. Of them, 208 were eliminated in the Bastar division, which includes Bijapur, Bastar, Kanker, Konadagaon, Narayanpur, Sukma and Dantewada districts.
