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House passes distracted-driving measure making cellphone use a secondary offense; debate centers on enforcement and equity
Summary
The House passed a bill that would make handheld cellphone use while driving a secondary offense after a primary stop, drawing hours of debate over civil liberties, enforcement practices and likely impacts on crash deaths and insurance rates.
The Louisiana House approved House Bill 19 on May 5, creating a state prohibition on certain handheld wireless device uses while operating a motor vehicle. Sponsor Representative Greg Glorioso characterized the bill as a safety measure intended to reduce crash fatalities linked to distracted driving.
On the House floor Glorioso cited data and argued the measure will reduce deaths and injuries: "Between 2020 and 2024, 871 people died in Louisiana because of the distracted driving," he said, noting that in other states similar laws had led to reduced fatality rates and lower insurance costs.
The bill makes handheld cellphone use a secondary offense; an officer may only stop a driver for the device violation after observing another traffic offense. The bill also included several safeguards after earlier committee and floor discussion: enforcement would require an officer to visually observe the device in the driver's hand, officers cannot use the device stop as a pretext to launch an otherwise unsupported search, and the bill expressly prohibits ordering drivers to turn over devices without further predicate.
Debate was extensive and at times heated. Opponents warned the law could be used as a revenue source or enforced unevenly in poorer communities, and Representative Bayham said such laws have been used in other states to target drivers in ways that generate fines for local governments. Representative Bayham asked whether the law would lower insurance costs; proponents said evidence from other states indicates safety and insurance rate benefits.
Supporters emphasized public-safety benefits and urged a culture change on the road. Representative Maria Hughes said: "I urge you to support this bill in the name of safety," noting family members and elderly drivers who could be endangered by distracted drivers.
After floor amendments and debate, the House adopted the measure by a vote of 71 yeas to 28 nays. Proponents said they will continue to work with law-enforcement representatives about reporting and transparency; some members asked for additional data collection about stops tied to the offense to ensure there is no discriminatory or pretextual enforcement.
The bill now moves to the Senate; its passage in the House reflects a policy priority to address distracted driving as a growing contributor to roadway deaths and insurance costs.
