2 days ago
How fast can I go over the speed limit in Louisiana before getting a ticket? What to know
While it's usually illegal to drive faster than the posted speed limit, some states and law enforcement officers may exercise discretion when it comes to minor speeding violations.
Majority of states have "absolute" speed limits, meaning that if you exceed the posted speed limit, even by one mile per hour, it's considered a violation.
However, officers may issue warnings instead of tickets for minor speeding offenses, such as when passing slower traffic or in certain highway situations.
The state of Louisiana employs "absolute" speed limits, which means driving even one mile per hour over the posted speed limit can result in a fine. Unlike some other states, Louisiana does not permit leeways for speeding, but instead has a "zero tolerance" policy for speeding.
Fines for speeding in Louisiana depend on how much an individual was driving over the speed limit, for instance, the minimum fine for driving one to nine miles per hour over the speed limit is $115, $215 for 10 to 14 miles per hour over and at least $240 for 15 to 20 miles per hour. Additionally, speeding in school zones in Louisiana can result in a 50% increase of the fine, according to Crescent City Law.
Driving 25 miles per hour or more over the speed limit is considered reckless driving in Louisiana and can result in hefty fines, as well as being arrested. If you are pulled over for driving more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit, you could face court appearances and risk losing your license, according to Hertz.
In Louisiana, the maximum speed limit is usually 70 miles per hour on interstate highways, 65 miles per hour on multi-lane divided highways and 55 miles per hour on other roads, says FindLaw.
In some states, you may be able to get away with driving over the posted speed if you can prove you were driving safely given the conditions, however, this is not the case in Louisiana. Despite this, some officers may still issue warnings instead of tickets, although, it's still recommended that you adjust your speed to the posted speed limit in Louisiana.
Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: How fast can I go over the speed limit in Louisiana? What to know
