Sen. Sykes responds to media inquiries regarding SB 1203

In response to multiple media inquiries regarding Senate Bill 1203 and the story in yesterdays Sunday Oklahoman, Senator Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, issued the following statement today:

As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee for the past eight years, I have been approached by Oklahoma motorists, law enforcement and judges regarding the total costs associated with a 1-10 miles per hour over the limit speeding ticket. Over the years, the cost of a 1-10 mile per hour over the limit citation has increased to roughly $225 for a single infraction. SB 1203 will reduce that cost to $100.

The goals of SB 1203 are to reduce the impact to Oklahoma motorists for such a minor infraction and improve public safety. The high cost had a disproportionate impact on Oklahoma motorists and over the years fewer tickets were being issued. Limiting the fine and costs to $100 is more equitable to the offense of 1-10 miles per hour over the limit. Nothing in SB 1203 limits or affects the discretion state troopers are able to exercise when making the determination as to whether a citation is warranted.

SB 1203 takes effect 90 days after Sine Die adjournment, which was May 3, 2018. The measure has a two-year sunset built into the bill and is specifically limited to speeding violations of 1-10 miles per hour over the limit.