By: Journalist Lexi Sapien (RSC)
Early Friday morning, Sen. Blaine Bowen (OBU) introduced the first bill to be heard in the mock legislature, Senate Bill OBU-001.
This proposed legislation, titled “DRIVE” (Deter Reckless Intoxicated Vehicle Endangerment), seeks to amend Oklahoma’s existing penalties for driving under the influence (DUI). It builds on the current law outlined in 47 O.S. §11-902, which classifies a first offense as a misdemeanor. Under the existing statute, offenders face a minimum of 10 days to a maximum of one year in jail, along with a fine of up to $1,000.
Sen. Bowen proposed increasing these penalties to make them more severe. His amendments suggest extending the jail time to a minimum of one month and up to two years, along with raising the maximum fine to $2,500.
For repeat offenders, 47 O.S. §11-902 currently stipulates that anyone convicted of a second DUI offense within 10 years, or who has received deferred judgment, is guilty of a felony. They face a sentence of one to five years in prison and a fine of no more than $2,500. Sen. Bowen’s proposal increases these penalties to a minimum of three years and up to five years in prison, along with a higher fine of $4,500.
Despite Sen. Bowen’s efforts, the bill failed in the Senate, with one vote in favor and 19 votes against. The author expressed disappointment, believing that harsher punishments are essential to deter individuals from driving under the influence. Research supports Bowen’s position, showing stricter DUI penalties can significantly reduce DUI rates. However, some critics argue such punishments may be overly severe and fail to address the root causes of drunk driving.