Gisclair (HB 150) Act No. 650
Existing law provides that any person operating a motor vehicle on the public roads of this
state shall drive in a careful and prudent manner, so as not to endanger the life, limb, or
property of any person. Failure to drive in such a manner shall constitute careless operation.
Existing law (R.S. 32:57) provides for the following penalties for careless operation of a
motor vehicle:
(1)First violation - A fine of not more than $175, imprisonment for not more than 30
days, or both.
(2)A subsequent violation - A fine of not more than $500, imprisonment for not more
than 90 days, or both.
New law retains existing law and provides that when the careless operation of a motor
vehicle proximately or directly causes the death of a human being when the operator fails to
maintain control of the motor vehicle because of falling asleep, the operator shall be subject
to the following additional penalties:
(1)The operator shall be ordered to serve 250 hours of court-approved community
service.
(2)The operator's driver's license may be suspended for a period of two years.
Effective Aug. 1, 2014.
(Amends R.S. 32:58; Adds R.S. 32:414(W))