The Oklahoma House has approved legislation that would increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders.
Senate Bill 1543, authored by Oklahoma Representative Emily Gise, would allow multiple DUI offenses committed within one year to be prosecuted together as a single felony offense.
“These are 100 percent preventable tragedies, and far too many families have been left to carry the weight of a decision that never should have been made,” Gise said.
Victims of Impaired Drivers, also known as VOID, backed the legislation. The group advocates for victims and families affected by impaired driving.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, about half of the roughly 700 traffic deaths reported annually in Oklahoma involve impaired driving. State data also shows Oklahoma has averaged more than 11,000 DUI arrests each year since 2021.
The bill now returns to the Senate for final consideration. If signed into law, it would take effect Nov. 1.
