SLS 10RS-37 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 2
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. 9
BY SENATOR B. GAUTREAUX
TRAFFIC. Makes texting while driving a motor vehicle a primary offense. (8/15/10)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 32:300.5(C)(4), relative to texting while driving a motor vehicle;2
to provide for the use of certain wireless telecommunications devices for text3
messaging; to change the violation to a primary offense; and to provide for related4
matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 32:300.5(C)(4) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:7
ยง300.5. Use of certain wireless telecommunications devices for text messaging8
prohibited9
* * *10
C. * * *11
(4) Any violation of this Section shall constitute a moving violation. A law12
enforcement officer shall enforce the provisions of this Section only as a secondary13
action when the officer detains a driver for an alleged violation of another provision14
of this Chapter.15 SB NO. 9
SLS 10RS-37 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 2
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 Michelle Ducharme.
DIGEST
Present law provides that the traffic violation of texting while driving a motor vehicle shall
be enforced only as a secondary action when the officer detains a driver for another alleged
violation.
Proposed law removes this provision, thereby making texting while driving a motor vehicle
a primary offense.
Effective August 15, 2010.
(Amends R.S. 32:300.5(C)(4))