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Safety Laws in Louisiana

Helmets
Motorcycles
All riders must wear a helmet.
Headlights
Motorcycles
Daylight use required.
Vehicles
Headlights must be on:
- Between sunset and sunrise
- When visibility due to foul weather is reduced to 500 feet or less.
- When your windshield wipers are in continuous use.
Bicycles
When riding at night your bicycle must have:
- A front white light visible up to 500 feet.
- A red rear reflector visible up to 600 feet.
- Two side reflectors (one on each side) facing outward from the frame at right angles and visible up to 600 feet.
Cell Phones and Texting
Cell phone restrictions:
- All drivers younger than 18 are banned from any form of cell phone use
- Permit and intermediate license holders are banned from the use of hand-held cell phones
- All drivers, regardless of age, who are issued their first drivers license, are banned from cell phone usage for the first year
Texting restrictions:
- All drivers of all ages are banned from texting while behind the wheel
Child Car Seat Laws
- Tots under one and weighing under 20 pounds must ride in rear-facing car seats.
- Toddlers at least one years old and weighing between 20-40 pounds must ride in forward-facing car seats.
- Kids between four and six and weighing between 40-60 pounds must ride in belt-positioning booster seats.
- Kids over six must use a lap/shoulder seat belt if they're not fastened in a car seat.
If you're in the market for one, you can shop online for a child car seat at any time. When ordering, be sure the car seat matches your child's height, weight and age.
Seat Belts
Seat belt use is mandatory for all riders.
Reporting Drunk or Dangerous Drivers
Call 911 if you suspect a driver of being drunk or a road-meance. Provide the driver's license plate number, make, model, location and travel direction. Do not try to stop the vehicle on your own.
Reporting Unattended Kids in Vehicles
Dial 911 if you suspect an unattended child left in a vehicle is in danger from excessive heat or cold. Remain with the vehicle until authorities arrive.
Reporting Unattended Pets in Vehicles
Call the local police department or animal control unit if you feel an unattended pet inside a vehicle is at risk.
Other Topics in This Section
- Traffic Alerts
- 511 Traffic Systems
- Recalls
- Tire Recalls
- How Emotions Affect Driving
- Driving in Hazardous Conditions
- Teen Drivers: A Beginner's Guide
- Seniors: When To Turn Over The Car Keys
- Packing Your First-Aid Kit
- Seven Senior Safety Suggestions
- Wildlife on the Road
- When to Call Wildlife Rescue
- Taking A Mature Driver Course
- Medications & Driving
- Night Driving
- Hallucinations on the Road
- How To Drive Distraction Free
- Treating Motion Sickness
- Road Rage: How To Deal With It
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