Oklahoma announces new aggravated DUI crackdown for convicted drivers. Keeping the roads safe is an ongoing priority for local and federal authorities, with lawmakers consistently needing to monitor the current realities of the road and amend legislation in response. This year alone, states across the country have come down hard on unlawful driving practice convictions by increasing the severity of associated penalties in order to showcase a zero-tolerance response towards those who continue to break the laws of the road.
States come down hard with jail time and increased fines
Across the country, local authorities have been passing a variety of legislation for harsher unlawful driving conviction penalties. While fines are generally the most commonly issued penalty for these types of convictions, drivers are now seeing the risk of additional penalties, such as jail time and license suspension, for convictions previously considered less severe than others.
Many of these new penalties pertain to drivers who are repeatedly convicted for excessive speeding and distracted driving behaviors. Speeding has been well-documented as being directly proportional to the risk of serious road accidents and fatalities occurring. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded that nearly one-third of all driving fatalities were a result of speeding. As such, it is an imperative for authorities to stamp out this behavior.
Additionally, many states have introduced ‘no-hands’ laws to stop drivers from using their cellphones while driving. Cellphone usage while behind the wheel is a major contributor to distracted driving. With drivers continuing to not keep their eyes on the road, more states are making it illegal to even hold your cellphone while driving, even if it is for navigation purposes. California authorities recently had to clarify their stance on this, reiterating that cellphones must be mounted to your car dashboard if you need to use it for navigation and that you may only answer cellphone calls if the phone is mounted in this way.
New aggravated DUI crackdown from Oklahoma
On top of speeding and distracted driving, driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious driving offence that can see your license suspended indefinitely in some states should you be convicted of this behavior. In an official statement from the Oklahoma Senate, starting November 1, the state has expanded the definition of what counts as an Aggravated DUI charge, now including behaviors such as speeding in a school zone or eluding police while under the influence.
“With this new law in place, those who endanger lives will be held accountable and face greater penalties for their dangerous behavior,” Senator Darrell Weaver said.
Additionally, penalties for an Aggravated DUI charge now include a minimum of ten days in jail for first-time offenders. Previously, first-time offenders did not need to serve jail time. Currently, Oklahoma ranks as tenth in the nation for the highest number of drunk drivers involved in fatal crashes, according to a report by Forbes released in January.
The need for harsher penalties for DUI convictions
Joining the likes of Oklahoma, Florida recently increased the severity of their DUI convictions with the passing of House Bill 687. Dubbed ‘Trenton’s Law,’ the new legislation was initiated following the death of eighteen-year-old Trenton Stewart, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2023.
Drivers convicted of a DUI in Florida now face a maximum prison sentence of thirty years. Previously, drivers only faced a maximum sentence of fifteen years. Additionally, if you are a repeat offender of vehicular homicide, you will see your license suspended for life by state authorities. You must never be under the influence when driving, as your ability to remain alert and aware of the road is severely impaired, severely endangering the lives of others on the road.
