SB 40 — TRANSPORTATION/DEV DEPT: Provides for approaching emergency or disabled vehicles on or near highways. (8/1/26)

SLS 26RS-172 REENGROSSED Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE BILL NO.

40 BY SENATOR WHEAT TRANSPORTATION/DEVAN DEPT.ACT To amend and reenact R.S.

Provides for approaching emergency or disabled vehicles on or near highways.

(8/1/26) AN ACT To amend and reenact R.S.

32:1, making use of audible or visual signals, authorized by law, including the display of alternately flashing green, amber, blue, red, or yellow warning lights, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audiblesignalonly, thedriverofeveryotherthe vehicledriver shallyieldtheright-of-wayandofeveryothervehicleshallyieldtheright-of-wayand shallimmediatelydrivetoapositionparallelto,andascloseaspossibleto,theright- handedgeorcurbofthehighwayclearofanyintersection,andshallstopandremain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when Pageotherwise 1directed ofby 3a Coding:police officer.

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-172 REENGROSSED SB NO.

40 otherwise directed by a police officer.

When anyvehicle making use of anyvisual signals as authorized bylaw, including the displayofdisplay of alternatelyflashing green, amber, or yellow warning lights, as defined by R.S.

(1)Page When1 drivingof on2 anCoding: interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, yield the right-of-waywhen driving on an interstatehighway orother highway with two or more lanes travelingin the same direction, by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the parked vehicle, if possible with due regard to safetyand traffic conditions.

IfWords awhich laneare changestruck isthrough notare possible,deletions unsafe,from orexisting drivinglaw; on atwo-lane roadorhighway,thedriver shall slow to a reasonably safe speed and maintain a safe speed for road conditions.

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SB NO.

40 ENROLLED (1) When driving on an interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, yield the right-of-waywhen driving on an interstatehighway or other highway with twoormorelanes travelingin the same direction, by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to the parked vehicle, if possible with due regard to safetyand traffic conditions.

If a lane change is not possible, unsafe, or driving on a two-lane road orhighway,thedrivershall slow to a reasonably safe speed and maintain a safe speed for road conditions.

ThePRESIDENT originalOF instrumentTHE andSENATE theSPEAKER followingOF digest,THE whichHOUSE constitutesOF noREPRESENTATIVES partGOVERNOR ofOF theTHE legislativeSTATE instrument,OF wereLOUISIANA preparedAPPROVED: bySenate Legislative Services.

ThePage keyword,2 summary, and digest do not constitute part of the2 lawCoding: or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] DIGEST SB 40 Reengrossed 2026 Regular Session Wheat Present law provides for the procedure for approaching authorized emergency vehicles Page 2 of 3 Coding:

Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;

words in boldface type and underscored are additions.

SLS 26RS-172 REENGROSSED SB NO.

40 parked on the side of the highway.

Proposed law adds a reference to the definition of an authorized emergency vehicle.

Present law provides for the procedure for approaching vehicles that are not authorized emergencyvehicles parkedon the side of the highway.

Proposed law requiresdrivers of the disabled vehicle to display a visual signal that theyare not in operation.

Proposed law adds a reference to the definition of vehicle.

Effective August 1, 2026.

(Amends R.S.

32:125) Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill 1.

Makes technical changes.

2.

Added requirements for owners of the disabled vehicle.

Page 3 of 3 Coding: