Louisiana’s roads and highways are intended for vehicles to travel forward. Motorists should not back down a road or highway unless it is absolutely necessary. However, when it is becomes necessary to back down a street, for example, the driver should exercise a high degree of care. La. R.S. 32:281(A) states:
The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic.
Furthermore, a motorist on a controlled access highway should never backup on the highway; the highway’s shoulder; or, to the right of a fog line unless it is an emergency. La. R.S. 32:281(B) states:
The driver of a vehicle shall not back the same upon any shoulder or roadway of any controlled-access highway except as a result of an emergency caused by an accident or breakdown of a motor vehicle.
An interstate is an example of a “controlled-access highway”. See La. R.S. 32:1(27).
La. R.S. 32:281 is a state statute that controls all parishes. However, parishes also may have similar rules in their local ordinances. See New Orleans Local Ordinance 154-438 Improper Starting or Backing.
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