Attorneys begin work on a Tulsa ordinance to spell out how the city will handle offenses under Oklahoma’s new ban on texting behind the wheel.
City Prosecutor Bob Garner said the local penalty should mirror the state law. That would be a $100 fine.
"For those that want to fight it, then they can come in and plead 'not guilty,' and they'll be entitled to their day in court," Garner said. "And the city must prove they are guilty of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt."
People who choose just to pay the fine would not have to go to court, and it would be entered as a plea of no contest.
But it may end up costing more if police decide an inattentive driving ordinance comes into play.
"I anticipate what we'll have is any time that officer actually runs into a situation where someone's engaged in any activity that, while driving, interferes with the safe control of the vehicle and there's an accident, they're probably going to proceed with the inattentive driving ordinance, which carries a $500 fine."
The state law goes into effect November first. The city should have its ordinance in place at the same time.
