OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Bill 1543, authored by Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, which would tighten penalties for repeat impaired driving offenses, has passed the House Floor and now is waiting on a final vote from the Senate.

SB1543 would establish an aggregate offense for individuals who commit two or more separate driving under the influence violations within one year, allowing those offenses to be prosecuted as a single C2 felony.

"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. "By tightening this law and holding repeat offenders accountable, we are taking an important step to protect innocent lives across our state."

"Working so closely with the great folks over at VOID and hearing the stories from so many families that have been impacted by impaired drivers, it was very clear that we needed a change," Gise said. "No one should have to lose a loved one this way. This is about putting people first and making it clear that Oklahoma will not tolerate behavior that puts others at risk."

Victims of Impaired Drivers (VOID) is an organization that supports victims and families affected by impaired driving.

"Impaired driving is a choice. Every time a person climbs behind the wheel to drive under the influence of any intoxicating substance, they are endangering the lives of everyone they pass on the streets," VOID founder Jeff Murrow said. "Victimless DUI is never harmless. This bill seeks to hold people accountable and prevent them from making this terrible decision."

The group visited the Capitol on May 4 for an advocacy day, where Gise presented them on the House floor. In her remarks, Gise highlighted the following statistics about impaired driving in Oklahoma:

Data from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office shows there are approximately 700 deaths each year from automobile crashes in Oklahoma, with about half attributed to impaired driving, an average of one Oklahoman killed each day.

According to the OSBI Statistical Analysis Center, the state has averaged 11,024 DUI arrests annually since 2021.

Gise said the measure reflects a commitment to addressing a persistent public safety issue and standing with families who have been impacted.

'We have an opportunity to act before another life is lost," Gise said. "This legislation sends a clear message that repeat impaired driving will be taken seriously, and that the safety of Oklahoma families will always come first."

SB1543 is now in the hands of the Senate. If approved by the Governor, the bill would take effect Nov. 1.