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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 driving in the left lane to
"non-urban" multilane highways. (8/15/10)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 32:71(B) and (D), relative to motor vehicles; to restrict vehicles2
to driving in the left-hand lane on non-urban multilane highways; and to provide for3
related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 32:71(B) and (D) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as6
follows: 7
ยง71. Driving on right side of road; exceptions8
* * *9
B.(1)(a) Upon all non-urban multilane highways, no vehicle shall be driven10
in the left-hand lane except when directed otherwise, preparing for a left turn at an11
intersection or into a private road or driveway, overtaking or passing another vehicle12
proceeding in the same direction, or when right-hand lanes are congested; however,13
no vehicle being driven in the left lane except when directed otherwise or preparing14
for a left turn at an intersection, or into a private road or driveway shall impede any15
other vehicle that is traveling in the same lane and behind that vehicle.16
(b) Upon all non-urban multilane highways, no vehicle traveling in the left-17 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.
hand lane shall be driven at a speed slower than any vehicle traveling to its right on1
the same roadway.2
(c) Upon all non-urban multilane highways any vehicle proceeding at less3
than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the circumstances4
then existing, shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic except5
when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway,6
or passing or overtaking a vehicle proceeding in the same direction, if passing on the7
left side of it. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize driving any8
vehicle in the left lane so as to prohibit, impede, or block passage of an overtaking9
vehicle in such lane and in such event the vehicle in the left lane prohibiting,10
impeding, or blocking passage of an overtaking vehicle shall expeditiously merge11
into the right lane of traffic.12
(d) The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply during a declared state13
of emergency when contraflow has been activated.14
(2) In addition to the requirements of Paragraph (1) hereof of this15
Subsection, any vehicle proceeding on a non-urban multilane highway at a speed16
slower than ten miles per hour less than the posted maximum speed limit shall be17
driven in the right hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to18
the right hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing a19
vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an20
intersection or into a private road or driveway. Persons in violation of this Paragraph21
shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment22
for not more than thirty days, or both.23
* * *24
D. The Department of Transportation and Development is directed to place25
signs on all non-urban multilane highways, in an effort to make motorists aware of26
the provisions provided for in this Section.27
* * *28 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 was prepared by Christopher D. Adams. The
following digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative
instrument, was prepared by Sharon F. Lyles.
DIGEST
Claitor (SB 263)
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 "non-urban
multilane highway".
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 "non-urban
multilane highways".
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 "non-urban
multilane highway" 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 requires signs to be placed on all non-urban
multilane highways.
Effective August 15, 2010.
(Amends R.S. 32:71(B) and (D))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Transportation,
Highways, and Public Works to the original bill.
1. Makes present law on driving in the left lane applicable only to non-urban
multilane highways.
2. Restores present law exception relative to preparing for a left turn into a
private road or driveway.