Oklahoma driving laws were recently updated, severely increasing penalties and extending punishment time periods. Senate Bill 529, or the Erin Elizabeth Swezey Act, was signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin and went into effect the first of November 2011. The drunk driving measure comes as a direct response to an Oklahoma State University student who was killed by a drunk driver in 2009. Erin Elizabeth Swezey was struck head-on by a pickup traveling the wrong way on the Kilpatrick Turnpike. The driver, a repeat DUI offender, had a blood alcohol content level of 0.29% and was traveling nearly 100 miles per hour.

The new law, passed 45-0 by the state Senate, requires all drivers required to install an ignition interlock device to post "INTERLOCK REQUIRED" on their drivers license while the device is in place. Further changes include:

· 1st time offenders with a blood alcohol content of 0.15% or those who refuse to submit to a test to install an ignition interlock device for at least18 months

· 2nd time offenders must have the interlock device for a minimum of 4 years

· 3rd time and subsequent offenders are forced to install the device for no less 5 years.

Other seemingly small changes can greatly affect a particular situation. If you have questions consult our website, e-mail us, or feel free to call us at 866-636-2486 and talk to one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys.