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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
SENATE BILL NO. 263
BY SENATOR CLAITOR
MOTOR VEHICLES. Amends law to limit the prohibition on left-hand lane driving to
interstate highways. (8/15/10)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 32:71(B) and (D), relative to interstate highways; to restrict2
vehicles to driving in the left-hand lane on interstate highways; to provide for a3
restriction regarding the speed of a vehicle traveling in a left-hand lane; and to4
provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 32:71(B) and (D) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as7
follows: 8
ยง71. Driving on right side of road; exceptions9
* * *10
B.(1)(a) Upon all multilane interstate highways, no vehicle shall be driven11
in the left-hand lane except when directed otherwise, preparing for a left turn at an12
intersection or private road or driveway, overtaking or passing another vehicle13
proceeding in the same direction, or when right-hand lanes are congested; however,14
no vehicle being driven in the left lane except when directed otherwise or preparing15
for a left turn at an intersection, private road, or driveway shall impede any other16
vehicle that is traveling in the same lane and behind that vehicle.17 SB NO. 263
SLS 10RS-845 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
(b) Upon all multilane interstate highways, no vehicle traveling in the left-1
hand lane shall be driven at a speed slower than any vehicle traveling to its right on2
the same roadway.3
(c) Upon all multilane interstate highways any vehicle proceeding at less4
than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the circumstances5
then existing, shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic except6
when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway,7
or passing or overtaking a vehicle proceeding in the same direction, if passing on the8
left side of it. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize driving any9
vehicle in the left lane so as to prohibit, impede, or block passage of an overtaking10
vehicle in such lane and in such event the vehicle in the left lane prohibiting,11
impeding, or blocking passage of an overtaking vehicle shall expeditiously merge12
into the right lane of traffic.13
(d) The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply during a declared state14
of emergency when contraflow has been activated.15
(2) In addition to the requirement of Paragraph 1 hereof, any vehicle16
proceeding on a multilane an interstate highway at a speed slower than ten miles per17
hour less than the posted maximum speed limit shall be driven in the right hand lane18
then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of19
the roadway, except when overtaking and passing a vehicle proceeding in the same20
direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or21
driveway. Persons in violation of this Paragraph shall be punished by a fine of not22
more than one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or23
both.24
* * *25
D. The Department of Transportation and Development is directed to place26
signs on multilane interstate highways, in an effort to make motorists aware of the27
provisions provided for in this Section.28
* * *29 SB NO. 263
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Christopher D. Adams.
DIGEST
Present law provides that no vehicle will be driven in the left-hand lane on any multilane
highway except when directed otherwise, preparing for a left turn at an intersection or
private road or driveway, overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same
direction, or when right-hand lanes are congested.
Proposed law retains present law; however, it changes multilane highway to interstate
highway and removes preparing for a left-hand turn at private road or driveway.
Present law provides that no vehicle traveling in the left-hand lane will be driven at a speed
slower than any vehicle traveling to its right on the same roadway.
Proposed law retains present law; however, it changes multilane highway to interstate
highway.
Present law provides that on multilane highways any vehicle proceeding at less than the
normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the circumstances then existing, will
be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic except when preparing for a left
turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway, or passing or overtaking a vehicle
proceeding in the same direction, if passing on the left side of it. Requires a penalty of a fine
of $100 or imprisonment for 30 days, or both.
Proposed law retains present law; however, it changes multilane highway to interstate
highway and removes preparing for a left-hand turn at private road or driveway and removes
the penalty of imprisonment.
Present law directs DOTD to place signs on multilane highways, in an effort to make
motorists aware of the law.
Proposed law retains present law; however, it changes multilane highways to interstate
highways.
Effective August 15, 2010.
(Amends R.S. 32:71(B) and (D))