The 2025 Louisiana Regular Legislative Session gets underway one week from today, Monday, April 14. One bill that’s expected to get some traction involves the fight against distracted driving. Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says they will once again push lawmakers to approve a hands-free primary law. House Bill 519, pre-filed for the fast-approaching session, would allow police officers to ticket drivers who use a handheld cell phone while driving. As the Louisiana Radio Network reports, Freeman says, “States who have gone in that direction over the last several decades have really seen like tremendous results.”
If approved, HB-519 stipulates that an offense is punishable by a $100 fine. The fine rises to $250 if the offense takes place in a school zone or highway construction zone. And the applicable fee is doubled if the offense occurs during a car crash.
The legislation also calls for “any violation occurring before January 1, 2026, the law enforcement officer shall only issue a written warning.”
Currently, Louisiana law bans the use of wireless telecommunications devices in school zones. This includes cell phones, for texting, social media, or calls while driving in school zones.
Last week, Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple joined members of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), and StopDistractions.org at a news conference to kick off April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
Temple said, “My message is clear, don’t use mobile phones or other electronic devices while driving.” And Temple made it clear he would be supporting legislation this year to prevent the use of handheld wireless devices while driving.
However, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) cautions that hands-free is not risk free. The agency states that “using a device hands-free does not reduce driver distraction; in fact, drivers are still distracted by the conversation-this is called ‘cognitive distraction.’” That’s why the NTSB calls on states to ban all-driver use of personal electronic devices.
The National Institutes of Health agrees with that assessment stating that “Evidence suggests that hands-free phone use provides no safety benefit because it does not diminish cognitive distraction.”
According to the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), at least 30 states, plus the District of Columbia, have a ban on using handheld devices for all drivers anytime they are behind the wheel. Arkansas, meanwhile, has hands-free laws that apply to teenage drivers. Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas also have bans on handheld devices in certain areas. Nearly every state bans texting while driving. There is a handheld ban for all drivers in Louisiana under the age of 16, and drivers with a learner’s permit or intermediate license regardless of age. Cell phone use is also banned (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers in the state.
