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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, 2011
SENATE BILL NO. 139
BY SENATORS MARIONNEAUX, ERDEY AND MOUNT
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
TRAFFIC. Prohibits certain trucks from using the far left lane on multi-lane highways
moving in the same direction, except under certain circumstances. (1/1/12)
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 32:83, relative to motor vehicles and traffic regulations; to prohibit certain2
trucks from using the far left lane on certain highways; to provide for exceptions; to3
provide for penalties; and to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 32:83 is hereby enacted to read as follows:6
ยง83. Prohibition; certain trucks traveling in far left lane on certain highways;7
penalty8
A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a truck, truck-9
tractor-semitrailer, or truck-tractor-trailer, which has a total of three or more10
axles, shall travel in the right lane on a multi-lane highway and shall travel only11
in either of the two lanes farthest to the right on highways having three or more12
lanes for travel in the same direction, except for a reasonable distance when13
making a left turn or where a special hazard exists that requires the use of an14
alternative lane for safety reasons.15
B.(1) The provisions of this Section shall not apply when such trucks are16
passing a motor vehicle that is stopped for any reason, passing a motor vehicle17 SB NO. 139
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
or vehicle traveling under the posted speed limit, allowing traffic to merge onto1
a multi-lane highway, or entering or exiting a multi-lane highway. The2
provisions of this Section also shall not apply to any portion of a multi-lane3
highway within an incorporated urban area as designated by the department.4
(2) The Department of Transportation and Development shall post signs5
on all multi-lane highways indicating that such trucks shall be restricted in6
ordinary operation to the right-hand travel lane or to the two travel lanes7
farthest to the right as indicated in Subsection A of this Section.8
C. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined five9
hundred dollars.10
Section 2. This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2012.11
Section 3. The Department of Transportation and Development shall collect data on12
the number of crashes, highway operations, compliance with, enforcement of, and public13
perception of this Act for calendar years 2012 and 2013 and submit a report to the House and14
Senate committees on transportation, highways, and public works no later than March 31,15
2014.16
The original instrument was prepared by Sharon F. Lyles. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by Riley Boudreaux.
DIGEST
Marionneaux (SB 139)
Proposed law requires a truck, truck-tractor-semitrailer, or truck-tractor-trailer, which has
a total of three or more axles, to travel in the right lane on a multi-lane highway and requires
travel only in either of the two lanes farthest to the right on highways having three or more
lanes for travel in the same direction, except for a reasonable distance when making a left
turn or where a special hazard exists that requires the use of an alternative lane for safety
reasons. Provides that proposed law does not apply to such trucks when passing a motor
vehicle which is stopped for any reason, passing a motor vehicle or vehicle traveling under
the posted speed limit, allowing traffic to merge onto a multi-lane highway, or when entering
or exiting the highway. Also does not apply to any portion of a multi-lane highway within
an incorporated urban area as designated by DOTD.
Proposed law requires DOTD to post signs on all multi-lane highways indicating that such
trucks are restricted in ordinary operation to the right-hand travel lane or the two travel lanes
farthest to the right.
Proposed law provides that the operator of such trucks violating the proposed law shall be
subject to a fine of $500. SB NO. 139
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Proposed law requires DOTD to collect data on the number of crashes, highway operations,
compliance with, enforcement of, and public perception of, the provisions of proposed law
for the calendar years 2012 and 2013, and to submit a report to the Senate and House
committees on transportation, highways, and public works no later than March 31, 2014.
Effective January 1, 2012.
(Adds R.S. 32:83)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Transportation,
Highways, and Public Works to the original bill.
1. Provides that the restriction does not apply to any portion of a multi-lane
highway within an incorporated urban area as designated by DOTD.