A new law will take effect in Oklahoma soon that will worsen penalties for people using their phones while driving in a school zone.
House Bill 2263 allows courts to fine drivers a maximum of $100 for texting or using a cellphone while in school or construction zones. The measure, created by Rep. Nicole Miller, Rep. Ken Luttrell and Sen. Todd Gollihare, will become law on Nov. 1.
“Distracted driving is a serious issue, and this bill is a straightforward, common-sense step to keep drivers’ focus where it belongs: on the road,” Miller said in a press release when the House passed the bill in March. “Putting the phone down in these critical areas will help save lives. It’s a small change that makes a significant difference.”
Between 2017 and 2021, distracted driving led to 250 fatalities and 8,000 injuries in the state, according to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
The bill does not punish people who use hands-free or voice-activated technology. It also does not punish those communicating with emergency response operators, hospitals, physician offices, health clinics, ambulance providers, firefighters or law enforcement officers.
Speeding in an OKC school zone could cost you
Drivers traveling through school zones should also be mindful of slower speed limits, as many Oklahoma City metro communities will give you a fine if you are found going over the speed limit in a school zone.
In The Village, the fine will differ depending on how much you are speeding in the area, but in other places, there is a flat rate for speeding. Here’s a list of the starting prices for fines in Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas in the metro.
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Bethany: $200, all violations
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Del City: $130, all violations
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Edmond: $280, all violations
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Moore: $266, all violations
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Nichols Hills: $260, all violations
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Norman: $285, all violations
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Oklahoma City: $213, all violations
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The Village: $170 for 1-10 mph over, price increases per speed
New Oklahoma DUI law also brings harsher penalties
During the last legislative session, lawmakers also toughened laws on drunk driving.
Senate Bill 54 mandated that to qualify for an aggravated DUI, a person must have a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .15 within two hours of arrest and must have committed at least one of the following violations:
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The person causes a motor vehicle incident with one or more vehicles.
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The person drives the wrong way on a roadway.
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The person eludes law enforcement while driving.
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The person drives more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit or 10 miles per hour over the speed limit in an active school zone.
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The person is driving with a child.
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The person is driving recklessly.
For a first offense of aggravated DUI, the person will spend at least 10 days incarcerated. It will be possible for the person to serve the sentence at night or on weekends.
For a second offense of aggravated DUI, the person will spend at least 30 days incarcerated. For each subsequent conviction of aggravated DUI, the person who committed the crime will spend an additional 30 days incarcerated.
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New Oklahoma law to boost fines for phone use in school zones
