Louisiana § RS 32:61 - Maximum speed limit
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 32:61 — Maximum speed limit, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 32:61. Maximum speed limit
A. No person shall operate a vehicle on any highway of this state in excess of fifty-five miles per hour, unless a lower maximum speed is posted on the highway, except as follows:
(1) No person shall operate a vehicle on any interstate or controlled access highway of this state in excess of seventy miles per hour.
(2) No person shall operate a vehicle on any multi-lane divided highway of this state which has partial or no control of access in excess of sixty-five miles per hour.
(3) A person may operate a vehicle in excess of any maximum speed set forth in this Chapter within a speed zone established by the department as provided in R.S. 32:63(C).
B. The Department of Transportation and Development shall develop criteria to determine which portions of a highway warrant a speed limit lower than the speed limits established by this Section. The criteria shall be based on an engineering study which shall consider, but not necessarily be limited to, the design speed of the road, the road geometry, the use of land surrounding the road, and the accident history of the road.
C.(1) In addition to any penalties imposed pursuant to this Section, upon violation the offender shall be fined an additional five dollars.
(2) Monies collected pursuant to this Subsection shall be forwarded by the sheriff to the state treasurer within thirty days of collection.
(3) After allocation to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as provided in Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, the state treasurer shall deposit the collections into the Louisiana Emergency Response Network Fund as established in R.S. 40:2845.
Amended by Acts 1964, No. 369, §1; Acts 1974, No. 521, §1; Acts 1977, No. 113, §1, eff. June 22, 1977; Acts 1982, No. 191, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 1997, No. 1204, §1; Acts 2010, No. 81, §1; Acts 2025, No. 194, §2, eff. June 8, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 32:61
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 32:61 cover?
Section RS 32:61 ("Maximum speed limit") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 32:61?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 32:61" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 32:61 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.