Washington, Louisiana Enforce Harsher Driving Fines, Distracted Driving Laws

Several U.S. states have recently enacted new traffic laws addressing speeding, distracted driving, and littering. Washington state has increased fines for littering from $103 to $256, with penalties escalating up to $5,000 and possible jail time, as part of efforts to address persistent freeway litter, with the law taking effect in late July. Louisiana introduced stringent laws including a ban on holding or using phones while driving, with fines starting in 2026, and penalizes drivers for going just 1 mph below the speed limit in the left lane, with repeat offenders facing potential jail time. Minnesota raised the speed limit for garbage trucks and husbandry vehicles from 30 mph to 35 mph to improve safety, reflecting a trend of nuanced speed limit adjustments for specific vehicle types. Meanwhile, North Dakota increased rural interstate speed limits to 80 mph, with localized reductions in certain towns, alongside new laws on fleeing law enforcement. These varied legislative changes illustrate states' attempts to enhance road safety and environmental responsibility through targeted regulations.