The Urbanic Law Firm

How to get pulled over in Oklahoma–OR–What NOT to do if you’re driving with drugs in your car

Frank Urbanic

The following is a list of ridiculous reasons why law enforcement can pull you over in Oklahoma. Doing any of these will turn your car into a probable cause mobile.

  1. Driving with your fog lamps on when it’s not foggy. 47 O.S. § 12-217 states that fog lamps can only be used when visibility is 1/2 mile or less. Better play it safe and just don’t turn them on at all within our borders.
  2. Not signaling a lane change early enough. 47 O.S. § 11-309 states that a driver must signal a lane change at least 100 ft prior to changing lanes. How long is that when you’re driving? Who knows. Just put on that blinker a long time before you turn the wheel.
  3. Not signaling a right or left turn early enough. 47 O.S. § 11-604 states that a driver must signal a right or left turn at least 100 ft prior to turning. Again, signal way before you think you need to turn.
  4. Following too closely. 47 O.S. § 11-310 states, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.” What the hell does that mean?? It means that a cop can pull you over for any distance he or she deems is “too close.” So stay as far behind every other vehicle as possible.
  5. License plate insufficiently lit. 47 O.S. § 12-204.1 states that a license plate must be lit to where it is legible at 50 ft. You also can’t have more than two lights illuminating the plate. And the lights have to be white.
  6. Third brake light not working. 47 O.S. § 12-206 states that the third (middle) brake light must be operational if your vehicle is equipped with one.
  7. Driving in the left lane without passing somebody. 47 OS §11-309 states that you can’t impede the normal flow of traffic by driving in the left lane. 47 OS §11-301 states that you need to drive in the right hand lane if you’re driving at less than the normal speed of traffic. Translation: Don’t clog up the left lane, and move right if you’re slow. Actually, this is not a ridiculous law. You should be arrested if you’re driving slow in the fast lane!
  8. Driving with a cracked windshield. 47 O.S. § 12-404 says what types of windshield cracks are unacceptable. It’s illegal to have any outright breakage in the windshield or in the window on either side of the driver; have any star break or shot damage, 3″ or more in diameter, located in the critical area; or have two or more stress or hairline cracks, 12″ or more in combined length, located in the critical area. The critical area is the area cleaned by the normal sweep of the windshield wiper blade on the driver’s side. This law also says that it’s illegal to drive a motor vehicle with any sign, poster, other nontransparent material, or debris (including but not limited to snow, ice, or frost) on the front windshield or the side wings, or side or rear windows. You also can’t suspend any sign, poster, object, or other material from the interior of the vehicle that materially obstructs, obscures, or impairs the driver’s clear view of the highway ahead or to either side or of any intersecting highway.

I’ve seen people pulled over for many of the above reasons. Oklahoma cops ARE looking for those things, and they WILL pull you over!

And, of course, there are the more obvious reasons to pull you over:

So, if you’re going to be driving on Oklahoma roads and don’t want to get stopped, just follow a few simple instructions. Inspect your car prior to leaving. Make sure all lights work. While you’re doing that, check to make sure your tag isn’t expired. Signal way before you turn or change lanes. Don’t go one mile over the speed limit. Wear a seat belt. Stay far behind other vehicles. And NEVER, EVER, EVER use your fog lamps.

Have I left out any ridiculous reasons people get pulled over for in Oklahoma? Let me know!

Have you been pulled over for something ridiculous? Or something not ridiculous?

Call The Urbanic Law Firm!

405-633-3420

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