Senate Approves Measure to Criminalize the Playing of Obscene Music at High Volume in Vehicles

The state Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would establish a misdemeanor for the public playing of obscene music in vehicles.

Authored by Sen. Jeff Rabon, Senate Bill 2021 would make the playing of any loud, obscene music or continuous noise from a vehicle illegal, provided that the noise can be heard at a distance of 50 feet or further from the vehicle.

“I felt this had become enough of a problem that it was no longer just about public decency but also public safety,” said Rabon, D-Hugo. “Noise at this level can make it impossible to hear emergency sirens or any surrounding traffic, and it distracts other motorists. This is an attempt to provide law enforcement with another tool to adequately protect Oklahomans.”

Rabon said that several incidents where families had been exposed to particularly obscene music in public parking lots also motivated him to file the legislation.

“No family should have to deal with a situation like this in the parking lot of a grocery store or at a gas station,” Rabon said. “Our children don’t need to be subjected to this, and I feel it was important for us to address the issue because it’s a growing trend.”

The measure was amended to specify that language considered obscene by the Federal Communications Commission would be a violation of the provision, and that the playing of obscene music at the specified volume level in the presence of minor children is a violation of the law.

Senate Bill 2021 was unanimously approved by the Senate and now advances to the House for consideration.