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 348 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Horton
Abstract: Authorizes the driver of a motorcycle, moped or trimobile, or bicycle or electric bicycle
to proceed through an intersection controlled by a vehicle-actuated traffic control signal after
waiting two light cycles or two minutes, whichever occurs first.
Present law requires vehicular traffic facing a red traffic light to stop at a clearly marked line or
crosswalk, or in the absence of either, before entering an intersection, and remain standing until a
green traffic light is displayed.
Present law prohibits vehicular traffic facing a red arrow signal from entering the intersection until
a green arrow signal is displayed. Present law requires vehicular traffic facing a red arrow signal to
stop at a clearly marked line or crosswalk, or in the absence of either, before entering an intersection,
remain standing until a green arrow signal light is displayed.
Present law provides an exception for both of these provisions for vehicular traffic facing a red
traffic light to cautiously enter the intersection to turn right, turn left from a one-way street into a
one-way street, or to make a U-turn at a signalized U-turn after stopping under the conditions
expressed above, except when a sign prohibits a turn. Present law requires such vehicular traffic to
yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk, or any driver of a vehicle
approaching on such other highway from either direction.
Proposed law creates an additional exception for the driver of a motorcycle, moped or trimobile, or
bicycle or electric bicycle to proceed through an intersection influenced by a vehicle-actuated control
on a steady red light when the driver:
(1)Comes to, and maintains, a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles
of the traffic-control signal or for two minutes, whichever occurs first.
(2)Treats the traffic control device as a stop sign.
(3)Determines it is safe to proceed.
(4)Yields the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk.
(5)Yields the right-of-way to the driver of any vehicle approaching an intersection from either
direction. Proposed law defines "cycle" as the total time to complete one sequence of signalization for all
movements at an intersection. Specifies that in a vehicle-actuated controller system, the cycle is a
complete sequence of all signal indications.
Proposed law defines "vehicle-actuated control" as a system that manages the signal through
automatically moving vehicles. Also indicates that the actuated signal timing is influenced by traffic
volumes and is detected through sensors at all the approaches. Further indicates that two complete
cycles of a traffic-control signal constitutes being vehicle-actuated influenced.
(Amends R.S. 32:232(3)(a) and (b); Adds R.S. 32:232(3)(e))