LouisianaLouisiana fines drivers for passing stopped traffic at red lights
Louisiana law sets a $250 fine for a red-light passing maneuver that causes no injury and gives most vehicle owners a chance for a hearing before a vehicle is booted over an automated red-light ticket.
What it does
Drivers who use a shoulder or turn lane to pass a vehicle stopped or slowing at a red light face a $250 fine if no one is injured.
A vehicle cannot be booted over an unpaid automated red-light ticket until its owner has had a chance for a hearing, except in Orleans Parish.
Argument forThe $250 fine could discourage drivers from passing stopped or slowing vehicles by using a shoulder or turn lane at a red light.
Argument againstA $250 fine could be a serious burden for a driver who makes this move, even when no one is injured.
More detail
The law sets a $250 fine for the specified red-light passing violation when it causes no injury. It applies when a driver enters a shoulder or turn lane to pass a vehicle stopped or slowing to stop at a red light. The fine applies only if the violation does not result in an injury.
The law bars booting a vehicle over an unpaid automated red-light citation until its owner has had a chance for an administrative hearing. It applies to vehicles with unpaid red-light citations issued through an automated traffic enforcement system. This rule does not apply in Orleans Parish.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 9Signed by the Governor Jeff Landry. Becomes Act No. 808.Became Law
- Jun 9Effective date: 08/01/2026.
- Jun 4Sent to the Governor for executive approval.To Governor
- Jun 1Signed by the President of the Senate.
- May 31Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 29Read by title, returned to the calendar.
- Vote recorded CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENTS (#1760). Result: pass.Lower
- May 29Called from the calendar.
- May 29Read by title, roll called, yeas 98, nays 0, Senate amendments concurred in.
- May 28Called from the Calendar.
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#1511). Result: pass.Upper
- May 28Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title, passed by a vote of 22 yeas and 8 nays, and ordered returned to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.Passed Senate
- May 28Received from the Senate with amendments.Minor
- May 28Scheduled for concurrence on 05/29/2026.
- May 26Rules suspended.
- May 26Read by title and returned to the Calendar, subject to call.
- May 20Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments. Read by title and passed to third reading and final passage.Minor
- May 19Read by title and referred to the Legislative Bureau.
- May 18Reported favorably.Minor
- Mar 24Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.Minor
- Mar 23Read third time by title, roll called on final passage, yeas 95, nays 0. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.Passed House
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE (#41). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 23Received in the Senate. Read first time by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.Minor
- Mar 18Scheduled for floor debate on 03/23/2026.
- Mar 17Read by title, amended, ordered engrossed, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- Mar 16Reported with amendments (16-0).Minor
- Mar 9Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.Minor
- Feb 27First appeared in the Interim Calendar on 2/27/2026.
- Feb 26Prefiled.Minor
- Feb 26Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.Introduced
TransportationPublic Safety