BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana lawmakers this week unveiled legislation that would classify extreme speeding as a felony, a move many residents say simply brings the law in line with what they have already accepted as reality, especially when a Nissan Altima enters the picture.
Under the bill, any driver caught traveling 100 miles per hour or more could face felony charges. Lawmakers confirmed the law was drafted after years of watching Altimas with mismatched body panels, expired paper plates, and no visible fear of death treat Baton Rouge like a personal proving ground.
An amendment added late in the process elevates the charge to an aggravated felony if the Altima is displaying Texas license plates.
“Speeding is dangerous,” one sponsor said. “But speeding in an Altima from Texas shows intent.”
State troopers welcomed the change, noting that Altima drivers already operate as if laws are theoretical. The Texas plate provision, they added, simply acknowledges the added confidence that comes from believing Louisiana traffic rules do not apply to you.
Civil rights groups worry the law could overwhelm courts, as nearly every Altima spotted exceeding 90 mph would now qualify as both a criminal act and a warning sign.
If passed, the bill would mark Louisiana’s first official recognition that some vehicles are not just cars, but dangerous situations.
