Drivers in Oklahoma will have to say goodbye to holding their phones in their hands in the car, particularly when they are in school zones or construction areas, once the state’s new hands-free law officially takes effect tomorrow. Authored by Rep. Nicole Miller, House Bill 2263 expands upon the texting-while-driving ban and prohibits the use of any handheld device in active zones where children and road workers are present.
Oklahoma supports no distractions while driving
Statistics from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) show that more than 250 deaths and over 8,000 injuries resulted in the state between 2017 and 2021. In most accident cases, drivers had interacted with their cellphones prior to the accident.
Due to the statistics presented, stricter regulations need to be brought to the fore by lawmakers. More stringent laws are therefore being put in place in areas where the lives of children and construction workers are at risk. Fines are bound to get rather hefty for all repeat offenders. The fine for first-time offenders is rather similar to the fine in existence for breaking the texting-while-driving law that is currently in place. Drivers will have to follow this new rule in active zones that have been marked by signage.
What do Oklahoma drivers need to understand about the law?
The difference between handheld and hands-free cellphone usage has been clearly stated in the new law. The law forbids drivers from holding onto their devices while driving. As per the law, the phone’s GPS can still be utilized when operated by voice commands.
Rep. Miller feels that the simple act of putting your phone down could protect a child or a construction worker. Hands-free cellphone usage means putting safety first.
Privacy protections included as per HB2263
HB2263 makes room for privacy protections, and law enforcement officers will not be able to gain access to, download, or even inspect a driver’s phone without a warrant that states another crime has occurred. The addition of the privacy protections clause was to ensure that all drivers do not get worked up about the new law.
Rep. Miller clearly states that HB2263 was put forward to ensure the safety of drivers and others in the state. The law will ensure that drivers keep their hands steady on their steering wheels and that their eyes remain off their cellphones at all times, especially in areas designated for children and construction workers.
Although Oklahoma still includes the privacy protections clause, other states have implemented this law rather strictly, addressing the issue of drivers using their phones while driving in a harsh manner. South Carolina is another state that seems to be coming down rather hard on all drivers who use their phones while driving; however, it is not the only state that is enforcing this law rather stringently. With hands-free laws hitting a few states, over 4 million drivers in each state will be targeted.
Drivers in Oklahoma are anticipating the change
According to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the enforcement date for the law is fast approaching. With the law enforcement date set for November 1, 2025, an awareness campaign has been taking place in the state to inform drivers of what the new law could mean for them.
In the state, digital highway signs and local law enforcement will continuously remind motorists of the “Go Hands-Free” in active zones rule. Oklahoma drivers will have to get used to the new law being implemented in the state, as adjusting to this new law could help to save lives. The time to go “touch-free” has finally arrived. In the state of Florida, too, and once the hands-free driving law is approved, drivers’ behavior will change in Oklahoma, too.
