New Oklahoma Driving Laws Take Effect Today

As you hit the streets today, be mindful of the fact that there are some new driving laws that have taken effect in Oklahoma.

A large number of laws were passed this last legislative session and some of these laws apply to the operation of Motor Vehicles, and all drivers should be aware of those laws. The following does not include the full text of the statute, but includes some of the more significant changes.

SB 272 – No Pay, No Play Law
Under the new law, motorists who get into serious accidents while driving without insurance coverage will only be able to recover economic damages for medical costs, property damage and loss of income. An uninsured motorist involved in a crash — even if it was not his or her fault — will not be able to successfully sue for pain and suffering.
 
House Bill 2331:
Allows law enforcement officers to seize uninsured cars or vehicles of unlicensed drivers who are stopped for traffic violations
 
HB 1507 – Aarons Law
The Department of Public Safety shall immediately revoke the driving privilege of any person, whether adult or juvenile, upon receiving a record of conviction in any municipal, state or federal court within the United States of any of the following offenses, when such conviction has become final:
Reckless driving without regard for the safety of others
Failure to obey a traffic control device, or a stop sign when such failure results in great bodily injury to any other person; or
Failure to stop or to remain stopped for school bus loading or unloading of children
Consequences as they relate to the three aforementioned violations under Aarons Law:
1st Offense will result in a revocation of one’s driver’s license for a period of one year without modification. A subsequent conviction, will result in a license revocation for three years.
 
Senate Bill 1908:
adds "personal communication devices" under the definition of distracted-driving violations.
So, using a wireless device while driving could result in an inattentive driving citation.
 
47 OS 11-309
On a four lane highway drivers are no longer allowed to disrupt the normal flow of traffic by driving in the left-hand lane. Motorists must now drive in the right lane, and only use the left lane for passing, with one exception. If you see an emergency vehicle on the shoulder, you need to pull to the left lane and slow down until you pass it.

I hope this helps, and please, buckle up and drive safely.