Sen. Leftwich Passes Legislation to Strengthen Penalties Against Unlicensed Drivers in Injury/Fatality Accidents

Legislation cracking down on unlicensed drivers who hurt or kill someone while behind the wheel is one step closer to becoming law. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is the author of Senate Bill 1599, which increases the penalty for a person who causes the injury or death of a person while driving with a license that has been suspended, revoked, canceled or denied.

“I had two accidents in my district last summer. In each case, a child died, and the person responsible was driving with a suspended license,” explained Leftwich, D-Oklahoma City. “Even worse, under current law, the most they could charge the drivers with was a misdemeanor. We need to strengthen the penalties and give law enforcement another tool to get these drivers off the streets.”

Under Leftwich’s bill, an individual knowingly driving with a license that had been suspended, revoked, canceled or denied could be charged with a felony, and if convicted, could serve up to seven years in prison.

SB 1599, approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, now moves to the full Senate for further consideration.