Louisiana 2015 2015 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB490 Introduced / Bill

                    HLS 15RS-323	ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 490
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLMOTT
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
HIGHWAYS/INTERSTATE:  Restricts the use of improved openings and crossovers or
turnarounds on interstate highways
1	AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 32:82(A), relative to divided highways; to provide for usage of
3 improved openings and crossovers on interstate highways; to provide for exceptions; 
4 and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1.  R.S. 32:82(A) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 
7 ยง82.  Driving on divided highways
8	A.(1)  Whenever any highway has been divided into two roadways by a
9 median, physical barrier, or clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to
10 impede vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right hand
11 roadway and no vehicle shall be driven over, across, or within the median, barrier,
12 or section, except through an improved opening or at a cross over crossover or
13 intersection established under authority of this Chapter.
14	(2)  No vehicle, other than an authorized vehicle, shall be driven through or
15 use an improved opening or crossover on any interstate highway.  For the purposes
16 of this Paragraph, "authorized vehicle" means "authorized emergency vehicles", as
17 defined in R.S. 32:1, and towing and recovery vehicles operating under the direction
18 of a law enforcement agency.
19	*          *          *
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CODING:  Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 15RS-323	ORIGINAL
HB NO. 490
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services.  It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument.  The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.  [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 490 Original 2015 Regular Session	Willmott
Abstract:  Prohibits the driver of any vehicle, other than an authorized vehicle, to drive
through or use any improved opening or crossover on any interstate highway.
Present law requires that every vehicle be driven only upon the right hand roadway when any
highway has been divided into two roadways by a median, physical barrier, or clearly
indicated dividing section.
Present law prohibits any vehicle on divided highways from driving over, across, or within
the median, barrier, or dividing section, except through an improved opening or at a
crossover, or intersection.
Proposed law retains present law and prohibits the driver of any vehicle other than an
authorized vehicle to drive through or use any improved opening or crossover on any
interstate highway.
Proposed law specifies that for the purposes of proposed law "authorized vehicle" means
"authorized emergency vehicles", as defined in present law (R.S. 32:1), and towing and
recovery vehicles operating under the direction of a law enforcement agency.
Present law provides for penalties for traffic violations as follows: First offense, not more
than $175 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both.  Subsequent offense, not more
than $500 or imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both.  If the violator is other than
an individual, the fine is double and no imprisonment.  Proposed law retains present law.
(Adds R.S. 32:82(A))
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CODING:  Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.