CHAPTER 5:
TRAFFIC LAWS AND REGULATIONS


GENERAL

You are required to obey all traffic laws when driving a vehicle upon a street or highway.

POLICE OFFICERS

You must obey all lawful orders and directions of a police officer.

TRAFFIC CONTROLS

You must operate your vehicle as indicated by traffic signs, signals and pavement markings.

CONTROL OF VEHICLES

It is unlawful to negligently fail to maintain reasonable and proper control of your vehicle.

SPEED

Excessive speed is often the factor that turns a minor wreck into a fatal accident. When driving at 70 m.p.h., you have little chance of living through a crash. Driving at such a speed during bad weather or at night means you are over driving your headlights. Since your stopping distance is greater than your visibility, you're gambling that you can stop quickly in an emergency You can't. Furthermore, you are breaking the law since 65 m.p.h. is the maximum speed limit.

The General Speed Law is that you must not drive at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent.
You must drive at a safe, appropriate speed depending on the area in which you are driving, the road and traffic conditions, light and weather conditions.

SPEED LIMITS

· You must not drive faster than the posted maximum limit.
· You must not drive slower than the posted minimum limit.
· While driving within the posted speed limit, you must not drive so slowly that you hold back other traffic.

Reduced speed limits are required in the following areas:

· On streets near schools and playgrounds and at locations marked with a ''school crossing" sign when children are present.
· On streets in residential or business areas.

While excessive speed is a main factor in accidents, driving too slowly is also dangerous. Motorists tend to get impatient with another motorist who is driving too slowly and take unnecessary chances to get around him. Minimum speeds are posted for many highways.

DRAG RACING

It is unlawful to participate in any race, speed contest or speed exhibition of any kind on a public street or road in this state.

LANE CHANGING

Never move from one lane to another until you are certain that you can do so safely Proper lane changing rules are:
· Check in your rear view and side mirrors.
· Look over your shoulder to make sure no one is in your blind spot.
· Check for other drivers who may also be moving into the same lane.
· Signal your intentions to other drivers.

Before changing lanes, look carefully behind you - someone may be passing you.

PASSING ON THE LEFT

Pass only when you won't interfere with oncoming traffic or the vehicle being passed. You must not cause another driver to slow or pull over in order for you to complete your pass. You must complete a passing maneuver before coming within 100 feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. It is against the law to pass another vehicle when:

· Your view is blocked by a hill or a curve.
· There is a solid yellow line in your lane.
· You are within one hundred feet of an intersection or a railroad crossing.
· You are within one hundred feet of a bridge or tunnel.

PASSING ON THE RIGHT

You may pass to the right of another vehicle if there are two or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction.

You may never pass to the right of another vehicle by driving off the roadway onto the shoulder of the road.

Remember, passing on the right can be dangerous if the other driver does not see you and decides to change lanes.

DO NOT PASS IN THE FOLOWING THREE SITUATIONS


STOPPED SCHOOL BUSES

You must stop at least thirty feet from a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading children. This is required by law whether you are meeting the bus or traveling behind it.

You do not have to stop when the bus is stopped in a loading zone completely off the roadway and where pedestrians are not allowed to cross the roadway.

When a school bus is stopped in opposite lanes on a roadway separated by a ditch, grassy median, elevated concrete barrier, or any obstacle that prevents traffic from driving thereon, you are not required to stop.

Drivers must stop for a stopped school bus when traveling on four lane or five lane roadways which are not separated by any barriers.

When you have stopped, you must not proceed until the bus moves again or the visual warning signals are no longer in use.

DRIVING ON DIVIDED HIGHWAYS

When a highway is divided into two roadways by a median or barrier, you must not drive across the median or barrier except when an approved cross-over is provided.

RULES FOR TURNING

The rules for making safe, courteous and legal turns are as follows:
· Prepare for the turn well in advance.
· Look around you to see where other vehicles (or pedestrians) are and be sure it is safe to turn.
· Signal first and then move into the proper lane. The law requires that you signal and get into the proper lane at least 100 feet before making a turn.
· Slow down before making turns and always finish your turn in the proper lane.

Steps 1 though 4 give the proper method for making a right turn.

LEFT TURN-TWO VEHICLES

If you meet another driver at an intersection and both of you signal left turns, be extra careful. When safe, each driver should turn to the left of the center of the intersection.

If you must stop before making a left turn, keep your wheels straight so that if you are struck from the rear you won't be shoved into the oncoming traffic lane.

At 4-Way intersections, some lanes are marked as left turn lanes. When such a lane is marked, you may only turn left from this lane. More than one lane may be designated as "left turn only" lanes.

This drawing illustrates the proper way for two cars to make a left turn in the opposite direction. Each has approached the intersection with the idea of turning left. The cars should pass each other to the left side of the center of the intersection.

WHERE YOU MAY NOT TURN AROUND

Do not attempt a turn around while on a hill or in a curve where your vehicle can not be seen by other drivers approaching from either direction within 500 feet.

SIGNALING

If you do not signal your intention, other drivers will not be prepared for your move. You must always give a signal to tell other drivers when you plan to turn, change lanes, slow down or stop. You can use either:

· mechanical signal lights, or
· the left arm.

A right or left turn signal must be given continuously for not less than 100 feet before
making a turn. A greater distance is suggested when driving at faster speeds or in heavy
traffic.

The left turn signal should always be used when driving from a curbside parallel parking
space into the flow of traffic, or moving to the left lane to pass.

It is illegal to flash your turn signals:

· on just one side of a parked or disabled vehicle.
· as a signal to another vehicle to pass you.
right turn
Arm bent up is for a right turn
left turn
Arm straight for a left turn.
slow or stop
Arm bent downward is for slowing down or stopping.

RIGHT-OF-WAY

The following right-of-way rules are an aid to safe and smooth traffic flow. They apply to all users of the road, including bicyclists, but you should never insist on taking the right-of-way. If other drivers or pedestrians are not following the rules, let them have the right-of-way even if it belongs to you.

1. At controlled intersections and 4-way stop intersections.
· When two vehicles approach an intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
2. At yield sign intersections.
· Slow down to a reasonable speed and stop if required. Proceed ahead only when you can do so without interfering with approaching traffic.
3. Left turns.
· The driver making a left turn must yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic, including bicyclists.
You must yield the right-of-way:

· To emergency vehicles that are sounding a siren and flashing warning lights. Pull over to the right edge of the roadway clear of intersections and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Watch for other emergency vehicles. This applies to traffic in both directions.
· To pedestrians legally crossing the roadway on which you are driving (in crosswalks, marked or unmarked).

PARKING

When parallel parked, the vehicle's right wheels must be within 18 inches of the right-hand curb of the street. When parking and leaving a vehicle unattended, stop the motor, remove the key, lock the ignition, and set the brake.

Getting out of your car on the street side can be dangerous. Always look carefully for other vehicles (especially bicycles) that might be passing. The drivers may not see you in time to keep from hitting your opened door or you.

It is against the law to park:

· on a sidewalk
· in front of a driveway
· in an intersection
· within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
· within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection
· within 20 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side of the street, or within 75 feet of the driveway on the other side of the street
· beside a parallel parked vehicle (double parking)
· on a bridge, overpass or in any tunnel
· at any place where official signs prohibit parking

RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS

Louisiana law requires that the driver of any motor vehicle must stop within 50 feet but no less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of a railroad crossing when:

1. a signal device is flashing and a train is approaching.
2. a crossing gate is lowered.
3. a train gives a warning signal and is an immediate hazard due to its speed or nearness to the crossing.
4. a train is approaching so closely as to create an immediate hazard.

After stopping, the driver shall not proceed to cross the tracks until he can do so safely.
Railroad grade crossings are marked with warning devices for your protection. Watch for and respect these devices.

Louisiana law prohibits any driver from stopping a vehicle on railroad tracks. Never get trapped on a crossing. If your vehicle is in a line of vehicles approaching a railroad grade crossing, you should not attempt to cross the tracks unless you are certain that your vehicle can safely cross to the other side of the tracks. If your vehicle becomes pinned between two vehicles or stalls in the path of an oncoming train, get out and move in the direction toward the approaching train away from the tracks.

Advance warning signs tell you to look, listen and slow down. You may have to stop. Watch for vehicles that must stop at railroad crossings. Drivers of vehicles carrying passengers for hire, school buses or trucks, or any vehicle carrying explosives or flammable liquids must stop at railroad crossings. DO NOT PASS THEM unless it is legal to do so and there are no unsafe conditions. You should have a clear view of the tracks.

Railroad crossing markings are white markings painted in the traffic lane before railroad crossings. The pavement is marked with a large "X" and two "R's". This is a no passing zone.
Railroad crossbucks
Railroad crossbucks signs will be found at most crossings. The driver should slow down and be prepared to stop upon sighting a train. If there is more than one track, a sign below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks.
Flashing light
Flashing light signals are used with crossbuck signs at many railroad crossings. Always stop when the lights are flashing because a train is coming. Do not proceed until you can do so safely. A second train could be coming from the other direction.

Always look both ways as you approach a railroad crossing, even if the warning lights are not flashing. They may not be working.

Never shift gears on the crossing. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, shift before reaching the tracks and do not change gears while crossing the tracks.
Gate with Flashing Light
Gates are used with flashing signals at certain crossings. Stop when the light begins flashing and before the gates are lowered. Remain stopped until the gates are raised.

Never drive around the gates. It's against the law to drive through or around any crossing gate at a railroad crossing.

Expect a train on any track at any time. Be cautious at a railroad crossing anytime of day or night. Be especially careful when visibility is low, or when the tracks may be hidden from view by trees, hills, buildings, etc. Do not cross tracks until you are sure no train is coming.

OTHER LAWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Backing up is not permitted on any shoulder or roadway of any controlled-access highway. It is also prohibited at any other place unless it can be done safely without interfering with traffic.

It is against the law for more than three persons to occupy the front seat of a moving vehicle. You must not drive a vehicle that is overloaded with passengers or any other thing that will obstruct your view in any direction or interfere with your control of the vehicle.

Having non-transparent material upon the window glass of any vehicle is unlawful.

Don't open your door on the traffic side unless it is safe to do so and doesn't interfere with traffic. The door may not be left open any longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

Riding in a house trailer is not allowed while it is being moved upon a highway in this state.

Coasting down a hill in neutral gear or while holding the clutch down is illegal.

Following emergency vehicles responding to call closer than 500 feet is unlawful. You must not follow into and park within the block where the emergency vehicle has stopped.

Do not cross any unprotected fire department hose unless consent is given by an official of the fire department.

Don't litter the roadside. The law says that you must be fined not less than $100.00. You may also be required to participate in a local highway clean-up campaign for at least two hours.

International Symbols for the Disabled

These symbols mean that a parking space is specially reserved for a driver who is disabled. Practice driving courtesy. Give handicapped citizens a break. Never use one of these spaces unless you are lawfully entitled to it.

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