Most of us learned to drive years ago and haven’t opened a driver’s manual since. That’s normal, but it means a few Louisiana traffic rules catch people by surprise. Breaking them can lead to a ticket, and after a wreck, they can also affect who gets blamed. Here are five rules worth knowing.

1. Driving too slowly can break the law

Speeding gets all the attention, but going too slowly can be a problem too. Louisiana’s general speed law says that, unless a special hazard calls for a lower speed, no one may drive “at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic” (La. R.S. 32:64).

Cruising at 40 in a 65 may feel safe, but it can force other drivers to brake hard or swerve around you. That same law also requires a speed that is reasonable for the conditions, so slowing down in heavy rain or fog is still the right call. The goal is to drive at a speed that fits the road, the weather and the traffic around you.

2. Hazard lights are for hazards

Many drivers turn on their hazard lights when it’s pouring rain or traffic is crawling. Louisiana generally prohibits flashing lights on ordinary vehicles except to signal a turn or to warn of “a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing” (La. R.S. 32:327).

In everyday terms, flashers tell other drivers that you are stopped, disabled or otherwise a danger to approach. Using them while moving along in the rain can confuse the people behind you. They may not be able to see your turn signals, and they may think you’ve stopped. If you’re broken down on the shoulder, turn them on. If you’re just driving in bad weather, use your headlights instead.

3. Road rage can turn a ticket into something worse

Tailgating, cutting people off, weaving through lanes and laying on the horn all come from the same place: the feeling that where you’re going matters more than where everyone else is going. Louisiana law requires every driver to drive “in a careful and prudent manner, so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person.” Failing to do that is careless operation (La. R.S. 32:58).

A careless operation ticket is only the start. If road rage turns into a confrontation, a threat or a deliberate collision, it can lead to criminal charges that are far more serious than a traffic ticket.

If another driver is raging at you, don’t engage. Give them room, avoid gestures and eye contact, and call 911 if you feel threatened. Drive to a busy, public place rather than leading them to your home.

4. Your horn is a safety tool

Louisiana law says a driver “shall, when reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway of this state” (La. R.S. 32:351).

So a long blast because the car ahead was slow to move at a green light falls outside what the law allows. A quick tap to warn someone drifting into your lane is exactly what the horn is for. Save it for safety, not frustration.

5. Wipers on, lights on

Louisiana requires your vehicle’s lights to be on not only between sunset and sunrise, but also “when moisture in the air or precipitation necessitates the continuous use of windshield wipers,” and when poor light or weather means people and vehicles can’t be clearly seen 500 feet ahead (La. R.S. 32:301).

The fine is small. The law caps it at $25 and says it is not a moving violation. The bigger reason to follow it is safety: in a heavy Louisiana downpour, lights help other drivers see you. On many vehicles, daytime running lights don’t turn on the taillights, so switch your headlights on yourself.

Why these rules matter after a wreck

Traffic rules aren’t only about tickets. After a crash, insurance companies look closely at how each driver was driving. Louisiana uses comparative fault: your recovery can be reduced by your share of fault. Driving in the rain without lights, or holding up traffic, could be used to argue that you share some of the blame.

If another driver was breaking one of these rules when they hit you, write down what you saw, take photos if it is safe, and get the names of witnesses. If you are hurt, talk to a doctor. And keep an eye on the calendar. For most injuries that happened on or after July 1, 2024, Louisiana generally gives you two years to file suit. Some claims have shorter or different deadlines, so talk to a lawyer early.

Got a ticket or facing charges?

A traffic ticket can feel minor, but it is still a legal matter, and it can follow you on your driving record. If the ticket came after a wreck, or alongside other charges, talk to a lawyer before you pay it or go to court.

If police or investigators want to question you about a crash or a road rage incident, remember that you have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. Don’t talk to police or investigators about the case without a lawyer.

To learn more, see our criminal defense page or how we handle car accident cases. If you have questions about a traffic stop, a ticket or a wreck in Louisiana, call Daniels & Washington at (225) 383-3800 or schedule a free consultation.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.