What are Louisiana’s commercial truck speeding laws? While some commercial trucks follow the same general speeding laws as other Louisiana vehicle operators, others must comply with lower speed-limit requirements.
Get clear explanations of how these laws and penalties apply and how they could affect your accident claim from a New Orleans truck accident lawyer.
Why Some Commercial Trucks Require Special Speed Limits
In 18-wheeler accidents vs. car accidents, the size and weight of commercial trucks are major reasons why accidents involving 18-wheelers are much more dangerous. A typical passenger vehicle weighs 3,000-4,000 pounds. A loaded commercial truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, or even more in special cases.
A loaded truck moving at highway speeds can take about 200 yards to come to a stop.
Because of the size and weight of commercial trucks, speed management plays an important role in reducing the risk of catastrophic injuries. Brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, and crush injuries are all devastating possibilities.
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(504) 500-1111Louisiana’s General Speed Limit Laws
Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) 32:64 establishes the State’s General Speed Law. No vehicle operator can drive faster than the posted speed limit. Drivers must all avoid driving faster “than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and potential hazards then existing…” In other words, operators must slow down when weather conditions or other situations demand.
The Department of Transportation and Development’s (DOTD) Speed Limit brochure summarizes the statutory speed limits on Louisiana roadways. The limit is 55 miles per hour (mph) on any Louisiana highway except if the roadway is:
- A multi-lane divided highway: 65 mph
- Interstate or controlled access highway: 70 mph
These laws apply to commercial trucks that do not exceed maximum size, weight, and load limits.
How Speed Limits Apply to Commercial Trucks
The DOTD Louisiana Regulations for Trucks, Vehicles, and Loads establishes the maximum weight and size dimensions for commercial vehicles traveling Louisiana highways as 80,000 pounds, though that number can go up to 88,00.
Drivers of these commercial vehicles must comply with Louisiana’s general speed laws. Not all trucks stay within this maximum weight. Louisiana’s commercial truck speeding laws impose lower speed limits on these oversized vehicles and require special permits for their operation.
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(504) 500-1111Specific Speed Limits for Oversized, Overloaded, or Escort Vehicles
The DOTD Regulations for Trucks publication states that special permits must be obtained to operate a commercial vehicle that exceeds “Louisiana highway legal and/or weight limitations…” According to Louisiana RS 32: 387B.(2), these vehicles cannot travel at speeds exceeding 55 mph.
Sometimes, escort vehicles accompany commercial vehicles. According to Title 73: Weights, Measures and Standards, these vehicles must not exceed 45 mph. In its Regulations for Trucks publication, the DOTD explains what size vehicles and loads require State or City Police or private escorts.
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(504) 500-1111Penalties for Violating Louisiana’s Commercial Truck Speeding Laws
Commercial vehicle drivers must comply with Louisiana State laws, federal regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and any company-specific rules regarding speeding. Violating Louisiana’s commercial truck speeding laws can lead to significant penalties.
Per the FMCSA overview of states and regulations, drivers are under mandatory employer reporting. Commercial operators convicted of a traffic violation (parking violations excepted) must report the conviction to their employer within 30 days.
The FMCSA ranks violations by severity. “Major” violations are the most egregious. They involve alcohol or substance use, using the truck in the commission of a felony, driving without a license, or when negligent driving leads to a fatal accident. Exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph or more is categorized as a “Serious” violation. This category is just one step down from “Major.”
FMCSA Penalties for Violations of Commercial Truck Speeding Laws
A single major violation results in a one-or three-year disqualification for commercial vehicle drivers. A second typically leads to a lifetime disqualification.
A first serious violation does not lead to automatic disqualification. If the driver incurs a second offense within three years, the penalty is a 60-day disqualification. A third results in a 120-day disqualification. Drivers serve disqualifications consecutively.
Commercial Truck Speeding Violations and Louisiana Law
Louisiana RS 32:1524.1 also imposes serious penalties when commercial drivers exceed the speed limit by 15 mph or more. They are disqualified from employment if they commit two or more violations within a three-year period, and these violations result in “suspension or revocation of the driver’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle” by an administrative agency.
The State recently enacted a bridge camera law, explained in ACT No. 426, to enhance Louisiana’s commercial truck speeding laws. On the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge span, trucks can only travel up to 55 mph along the segment connecting Lafayette and Baton Rouge, and can only use the left lane for passing. Cameras are in place to catch violators. Repeat offenders can incur fines of up to $1,000.
A Lawyer Can Help if You’re in a Speed-Related Accident
Louisiana’s commercial truck speeding laws are in place to protect everyone on the roads, including the truck operators. If you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, you need representation, and it’s important to know what to look for in a New Orleans semi-truck accident lawyer.
Partner with an attorney who:
- Has comprehensive knowledge of FMCSA and Louisiana state laws and how they apply to your claim
- Knows how to investigate truck accidents thoroughly
- Has connections to truck experts and accident reconstructionists
- Knows how to deal with insurance representatives, company representatives, and other involved parties
- Can work your claim through the system efficiently
- Knows how Louisiana’s injury-law system can affect your case
- Fights for the win every time
The sooner you connect with an attorney, the better for your case outcome. If you need help, we’re ready to get to work.
We’re Here to Fight for Your Future
Scott Vicknair Injury Law is a team of attorneys dedicated to justice and to fighting for your future. We know Louisiana’s commercial truck speeding laws, personal injury laws, and court system, and know what it takes to get justice for victims.
If you’ve been in a commercial truck accident, get in touch for a free case consultation. We’re here to help.
