(a) “Right-of-way” (ROW) means the public roadway, shoulder, median, sidewalk, and any area designated for public travel or traffic control.
(b) “Traffic control device” (TCD) means any sign, signal, marking, cone, barricade, or device placed for regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
(c) “Temporary Traffic Control Plan” (TTCP) means a written or posted scheme for safe closures, tapers, detours, and controls for work, incidents, or events.
(d) “Work zone” means the signed/coned area where work or incident operations are conducted, including buffers and tapers.
(e) “Special event” means a parade, march, filming, race, festival, or other planned activity affecting normal traffic operations.
(a) Authority. — LSPD, LSCSO, BCSO, SAST, SAPR, and roadway authorities may temporarily reduce speeds, close lanes/roads, set contraflow, and post detours for safety.
(b) Duty to Obey. — All persons shall obey lawful closures and temporary controls posted or directed by a peace officer or authorized flagger.
(a) Permit. — No person shall occupy or obstruct any portion of the ROW for work, staging, filming, or storage without an encroachment permit or an approved TTCP.
(b) Punishment. — Misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000; removal of equipment.
SHC §104. Unauthorized Encroachment; Unlawful Lane Closure¶
(a) Offense. — Placing cones, signs, or barriers; or closing a lane/road without authority, permit, or TTCP is unlawful.
(b) Punishment. — Misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000. If the conduct creates a substantial risk of collision: felony; twelve (12) to thirty-six (36) months.
SHC §105. Damage to Public Infrastructure; Restitution¶
(a) Offense. — Willfully or negligently damaging guardrails, signals, signs, barriers, bridges, sidewalks, or pavements is unlawful.
(b) Punishment. — Misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000; mandatory restitution. Felony where damage is egregious or willful.
(a) Requirements. — A TTCP shall define tapers, buffer space, closures, detours, device types, and worker position. Certified flaggers shall be used where sight or complexity requires.
(b) Hours & Lighting. — Night work requires lighting/retroreflective devices consistent with safety standards.
(c) Violations of this section may be charged under §§202–205.
SHC §202. Obedience to Work-Zone Devices & Flaggers¶
(a) Offense. — Disobeying work-zone TCDs or a flagger’s hand signals is unlawful.
(b) Punishment. — Infraction; $500–$2,500. If violation causes a collision or worker injury: misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000.
(a) Offense. — Moving, removing, damaging, or extinguishing cones, barricades, signs, lights, or crash cushions is unlawful.
(b) Punishment. — Misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000; restitution. If the tampering proximately causes a collision or great bodily injury: felony; twelve (12) to thirty-six (36) months.
SHC §501. Unauthorized or Fraudulent Traffic Control Devices¶
(a) Offense. — Installing, altering, or displaying any unauthorized sign, signal, or marking in the ROW; or altering official city signs/markings, is unlawful.
(b) Punishment. — Misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000; removal.
(a) Offense. — Stopping, standing, or parking in medians or on shoulders is unlawful except in emergencies, as directed by officers, or where signage expressly permits.
(a) Offense. — Drivers shall stop when warning lights are flashing, gates are lowering/lowered, a flagger signals stop, or a train is plainly visible and in hazardous proximity.
(b) Punishment. — Infraction; $500–$2,500. If violation causes a collision: misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000.
SHC §702. Driving Around Gates; Blocking the Crossing¶
(a) Offense. — Driving through, around, or under a lowered or lowering gate; or stopping a vehicle on the tracks or within the crossing area, is unlawful.
(b) Punishment. — Misdemeanor; one (1) to six (6) months; $1,000–$5,000. If collision or great bodily injury results: felony; twelve (12) to thirty-six (36) months.
(a) Duty. — A driver shall not enter a crossing unless there is sufficient space to clear the tracks without stopping.
(b) Punishment. — Infraction; $500–$2,500.
SHC §704. Disabled Vehicle on Tracks; Immediate Notice¶
(a) Duty. — A driver whose vehicle becomes disabled on the tracks shall immediately evacuate occupants to a place of safety and contact emergency services.
(b) Punishment. — Infraction; $500–$2,500. Failure resulting in collision may be charged under §§701–702 or applicable PC/VEH provisions.