OOIDA Call to Action - Oklahoma Members
January 29, 2003

Heads up, Oklahoma truckers! The timing is right to apply pressure on the state to get rid of certain speed traps in small municipalities that use them as moneymakers.

According to an investigation by The Oklahoman, at least 18 communities in the state get more than 26 percent of their money from police fines. The laws that allow this to continue need to be history! Several states, including Arkansas, Texas and Missouri have passed laws to limit the amount of money a community can keep from police fines, but in Oklahoma, the sky is the limit.
Now, state officials are investigating several communities for possible violation of the state's speed trap law. Public Safety Commissioner Bob Ricks told the newspaper the towns may have annexed more land for the sole purpose of writing tickets. Ricks said the state has some questions and needs answers. He told The Oklahoman "we have found justification to take action."
According to OOIDA members who have worked hard to eliminate these speed trap moneymakers, flooding Ricks' office and Gov. Brad Henry's office with letters would help.

Contact:

Bob Ricks, Commissioner of Public Safety
PO Box 11415
Oklahoma City, OK 73136-0415
(408) 425-2424
Gov. Brad Henry
Suite 212
Capitol Building
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 521-2342