PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Louisiana Hand-Held Law

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

To all the citizens of Evangeline Parish, 

 

Sheriff Charles R. Guillory would like to inform you of the new Louisiana Hand-Held Law. Effective August 1, 2025, Louisiana Drivers will no longer be allowed to physically hold a cellphone or any other handheld device while operating a vehicle.  This means it will be illegal to talk, text, use social media, or any apps on the phone while the vehicle is in motion.

 

The law aims to reduce distracted driving and improve road safety. There are exceptions to the law, including making voice calls on hands-free systems such as Bluetooth and utilizing dash-mounted devices. 

 

Violations of the law will result in fines starting at $100 and will carry higher fines in school or highway construction zones. One of the reasons this law is in effect is to address the high cost of vehicle insurance in the State. Beginning August 1, 2025, a warning will be issued until the law is in full effect on January 1, 2026.