Louisiana Bill Would Ban Pedestrians From Using Cell Phones in Crosswalks

Proposed legislation aims to curb distracted walking and reduce auto insurance rates

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A Louisiana lawmaker has introduced a bill that would impose a $25 misdemeanor penalty on pedestrians who use their cell phones while crossing in a crosswalk. The bill, authored by Representative Mike Bayham (R), would still allow phone use in crosswalks as long as pedestrians are not visually distracted. Bayham says the legislation is needed to protect people and help lower the state's high auto insurance rates.

Why it matters

Distracted walking, especially from cell phone use, has become an increasing public safety concern as pedestrian fatalities have risen in recent years. This bill aims to address that issue in Louisiana, where high auto insurance rates are also a major cost for residents.

The details

House Bill 309, filed by Representative Mike Bayham, would make it a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $25 fine for pedestrians to look at their cell phones while using a crosswalk. The bill would still allow phone use in crosswalks as long as the pedestrian is not visually distracted. Bayham says the legislation is needed because he has noticed people "are using crosswalks and they're not even looking up from their phone." He believes the bill will help protect people and potentially lower the state's high auto insurance rates.

  • The bill was provisionally referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
  • The Louisiana legislative session begins on March 9, 2026.

The players

Representative Mike Bayham

A Republican state lawmaker from Chalmette, Louisiana who authored the bill to ban pedestrians from using cell phones in crosswalks.

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What they’re saying

“I think there's a big need for it because I've noticed that people are using crosswalks and they're not even looking up from their phone.”

— Representative Mike Bayham (louisianafirstnews.com)

“We wanna make sure that people are protected and also to try to curb incidents from happening that cause our insurance rates to go up when it comes to automotive.”

— Representative Mike Bayham (louisianafirstnews.com)

What’s next

The bill was provisionally referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works and will be considered during the upcoming Louisiana legislative session beginning on March 9, 2026.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation in Louisiana highlights the growing concerns around distracted walking and its impact on public safety and auto insurance costs. If passed, the bill would make Louisiana one of the first states to specifically prohibit pedestrians from using cell phones in crosswalks, aiming to curb distracted behavior and potentially help lower the state's high auto insurance rates.