Oklahoma Commissioner to Ride Along with Troopers to Stress Highway Safety

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The Oklahoma Insurance Department announced that Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak will ride along with Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) troopers to raise awareness of highway safety laws. Commissioner Doak wants to make sure drivers are moving over for emergency vehicles, maintaining liability insurance coverage and not texting and driving.

“This is one of the busiest weeks for road travel,” said Doak. “We want to make sure everyone gets to their destinations safely. The best way to do that is to devote your full attention to driving. Safety is our main goal, but we also want people to avoid crashes that could lead to higher auto insurance premiums.”

Oklahoma’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over a lane of traffic when encountering flashing lights on the roadway, either from emergency vehicles or tow trucks. Another state law requires drivers involved in non-injury wrecks to move off the roadway to exchange insurance information in order to not block the flow of traffic.

Commissioner Doak also hopes to raise awareness of Oklahoma’s compulsory auto insurance requirement. Drivers are required to carry liability coverage. It is estimated that one in four Oklahoma drivers doesn’t have it.

OHP will take part in the fourth annual “Interstate 40 Challenge Drive to Zero Fatalities” traffic safety initiative. It will consist of increased patrols along the I-40 corridor that stretches through California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma and North Carolina. The challenge will take place on Nov. 23 and Nov. 27. Troopers will focus on drivers who are in violation of state laws, including those related to speeding, impaired driving, occupant protection and texting.

AAA Oklahoma is projecting that 556,000 Oklahomans will drive to their Thanksgiving destinations this year.

Source: Oklahoma Insurance Department