For Your Information

Motor Vehicles

Senate Bill 222 (Act No. 1204) - Speed Limits

Raises the speed limit on Interstate highways in the state from 65 mph to 70 mph Raises the allowed speed limit on four-lane highways with medians to 65 mph Maintains the speed limit on two-lane highways and other state roads at 55 mph Speed limits may not be increased to the maximum in some areas due to safety factors or other factors Effective August 15, 1997

House Bill 530 (Act No. 725) - Minimum Driving Age

Fifteen-year-olds: Only eligible to obtain a learner's permit after completing a driver's education course May only drive when accompanied by an adult 21years of age or older. Sixteen-year-olds: May obtain an intermediate driver's license Are prohibited from driving between 11p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older Drivers over the age of 17 are eligible for unrestricted licenses Effective January 1, 1998

House Bill 411 (Act No. 1017) - Privatized Toll Roads

Allows private companies or corporations to finance, build and maintain toll roads Local governments may create independent transportation authorities to team up with private companies In such cases, the private company would get a portion of the tolls collected until they are reimbursed. The road would then come under the control of the local authority. Effective July 11, 1997

House Bill 520 (Act No. 1296) - DWI

Stiffens penalties for DWI: First offense: $300 to $1,000 fine Second offense: $750 to $1,000 fine Third offense: Mandatory $2,000 fine One to five year hard labor prison sentence The vehicle will be impounded and sold Fourth offense: $5,000 fine 10 to 30 year hard labor prison sentence The vehicle will be impounded and sold Drivers under the age of 21 caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.10 or greater will be subject to adult DWI laws Lowers the allowable blood-alcohol level for drivers under the age of 21 to 0.02 First offense for a minor: $100 to $250 fine Participation in a court approved substance abuse driver improvement program Second and subsequent offenses: $150 to $500 fine 10 days to three months in jail Participation in the same substance abuse program Effective July 15, 1997

Senate Bill 14 (Act No. 381) - Windshield Wiper Operation in Inclement Weather

Requires motorists whose windshield wipers are in continuous use due to inclement weather turn on their headlights Requires motorists to use headlights when due to unfavorable atmospheric conditions, other vehicles or persons are not clearly visible at 500 feet Effective August 15, 1997

House Bill 1510 (Act No. 1037) - Child Passenger Restraint System

Requires that every child in the state under the age of 13 who rides in a motor vehicle be properly restrained Children under the age of three must be restrained in an age or size-appropriate passenger restraint system. Children between the ages of three and 12 may be secured in the manufacturer-installed seat belts If the number of children in the vehicle is greater than the number of seat belts or restraining systems in the vehicle, the unrestrained children must sit in the rear seat Does not apply to bicycles, farm tractors, motorcycles, ambulances or other emergency vehicles, school busses, commercial trucks or taxis $50 fine for first offense $100 fine for second offense $100 fine plus all court costs for third and subsequent offenses; suspension of driver's license until proof is presented to the court that a proper child restraining device has been acquired Effective July 1, 1997

House Bill 206 (Act No. 245) - Riding in Open Pick-up Trucks

Prohibits children under the age of 12 from riding in the open bed of a pick-up truck Prohibits children under the age of 12 from riding in a utility trailer Does not apply to parades Does not apply to emergency situations if an adult accompanies the child Effective August 15, 1997

 

For Your Information