Arizona, Georgia, Alaska, Oklahoma -- these are the four strictest states when it comes to drunk driving, according to a new study.
The WalletHub analysis looks at state measures to punish and deter drunk driving. Oklahoma has strong criminal penalties, including the nation's longest minimum jail sentence for first-time offenders and a 10-year period in which past DUIs can factor into penalties for new offenses.
Oklahoma, however, falls short when it comes to deterrents, particularly minimum fines.
"After the first conviction, there is a $0 minimum fine, and that actually carries through to the second conviction," said WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez. "It's one of the only states where that actually happens."
Gonzalez said drunk driving deaths have been on the decline since the 1980s, but they're still a problem.
"States toward the bottom of the list can look at the ones near the top, like Oklahoma, and look at them as an example," Gonzalez said.
Oklahoma has recently toughened up on drunk drivers. A 2011 law requires ignition interlock devices if a first-time offender's blood alcohol level is 0.15 or higher. The same law stopped letting DUI offenders take plea bargains.
