Senate Bill No. SLS 26RS-172, introduced by Senator Wheat, amends and reenacts R.S. 32:125 to enhance the procedures for approaching both authorized emergency vehicles and disabled vehicles parked adjacent to highways. The bill specifies that drivers must yield the right-of-way to authorized emergency vehicles displaying audible or visual signals and requires them to position their vehicles parallel to the right-hand edge of the highway until the emergency vehicle has passed. Additionally, the bill clarifies that drivers of passing or approaching vehicles must change lanes away from parked emergency or disabled vehicles when safe to do so, or slow down to a safe speed if a lane change is not possible.

The proposed law also includes new requirements for disabled vehicles to display visual signals indicating they are not operational, thereby improving safety for all road users. The bill incorporates definitions from R.S. 32:1 to ensure clarity regarding what constitutes an authorized emergency vehicle and outlines the responsibilities of drivers in relation to both emergency and non-emergency situations. The changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB40 Original:
SB40 Engrossed:
SB40 Reengrossed: