Louisiana hands-free driving law brings $100 minimum fines starting New Year’s Day

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A partially enacted Louisiana state law mandating no handheld device use while driving will carry a minimum $100 fine starting New Year’s Day 2026.

The statewide hands-free driving law expands beyond school zones, where signs already designate “hands-free zones,” to cover all Louisiana roads.

“Our goal is not to write citations, but the goal is to help prevent crashes from distracted driving. That’s the goal,” said Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Assistant Chief Deputy Franklin Fondel.

Fondel said he has seen the problem grow since he was working on the streets in the late 1990s.

“Not as much as it is now. I mean, technology is so much now. And with the technology, like you say, you’re having the maps, the GPS and different things with the phones,” Fondel said.

Drivers caught holding a phone at all face fines. Violations include answering a phone call, scrolling social media or putting in navigation while holding the device. Fines increase in school zones and construction areas.

“People can just take their sight real quick off the roadway because something have caught their attention on the phone and not concentrating of operating that motor vehicle,” Fondel said.

The law does not outlaw navigation but requires phones to be in a phone mount with only hands-free options allowed.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that over 3,000 deaths were directly caused by distracted driving in 2023. Fondel said the law aims to reduce that number.

“It takes a split second for you to take your eyes off the roadway and a crash can occur. So you have to be attentive. You cannot be dealing with a handheld device,” Fondel said.

Fines increase with each offense and can impact insurance rates. Drivers can still legally dial 911 emergency services.