News

Fatality Report for the Month of March

Department of Public Safety officials report an increase in traffic fatalities for the month of March, 2012. Fatalities were up by 20 in March with a total of 59, compared to 39 in the same month last year.

There were 2 motorcyclists and 5 pedestrians who died in crashes during March. The highest daily fatality numbers include 12 deaths on Friday and Saturdays, dropping to 10 on Sundays. There were 5 deathless days in the month of March.

Six of the fatality crashes were alcohol-related, in the opinion of the investigating state, county or municipal officer. Fifty-one fatality victims were Oklahoma residents and 8 non-resident. There were 40 male and 19 female victims.

Six of the fatality victims were age 20 or under. The leading number of fatalities by age group were 17 in the 21 - 30 and dropping to, 13 in the 41 - 50 year-olds. Oklahoma County led the state in fatalities with a fatality count of nine, followed by Tulsa County with seven fatalities.

The highest number of fatality crashes were on State Highways with 21. There were 12 fatalities on US Highways.

Fifty percent of those who died in traffic collisions were not wearing safety belts at the time of the crash, according to DPS statistics.

  • Year to date fatalities through April 29, 2012 - - - 180
  • Year to date fatalities through April 29, 2011 - - - 208

Technology Expedites Permit Process at DPS

A state-of-the-art automated oversize/overweight permit system used at the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety's Size and Weight Permit Division has aided in streamlining issuance of permits and improved customer service to the trucking industry.

The automated system, known as the Oklahoma Permitting and Routing Optimization System or "OkiePROS" for short, was placed into service in November of 2011, and developed in a joint venture between the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS). "The project, which took about 20 months to develop and put into place, has already proven itself as evidenced by the fact that 30% of the permits being issued now are automated," said Larry Punneo, Director of the Size and Weight Permit Division.

While permits have been issued by DPS since 1949, issuance has increased from just over 110,000 in 1973 to more than 215,000 in 2011. Prior to OkiePROS, and with the exception of certain annual permits, every other permit went through a hands-on review before being issued. This antiquated process was a slow and cumbersome procedure which resulted in a less efficient service and high numbers of customer complaints.

Planning and development of OkiePROS included input from trucking industry officials in hopes of developing a system that would meet everyone's needs. "OkiePROS has allowed trucking companies to schedule their routes with time constraints that couldn't happen before this system went into effect. It has allowed us to do our jobs more efficiently with a lot more confidence in the routing system," said Dan Case, Executive Director with the Oklahoma Trucking Association.

Permit data for April 2012 reflect that of 990 permits issued through April 23, 356 were processed through OkiePROS, requiring no employee involvement and were delivered straight to the customer electronically. This is a simple process for customers who have access to a computer. Customer profiles can be set up with the DPS permit office with basic company information and they can receive permits online in just a matter of minutes.

"This technology better serves Oklahoma's trucking industry which is required to have permits when moving loads on Interstate, State and U.S. Highways that are overweight, oversized or both. There are only two states in the nation that are using systems as sophisticated as OkiePROS; Oklahoma and Texas, both of which were developed and online within a few months of each other," said Jay Adams, ODOT Director for Tribal Coordination, and OkiePROS project manager.

While the DPS Size and Weight Permit office operates from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, OkiePROS customers will be able to access permits 24/7.

The OkiePROS budget was $2.4 million with an additional $900,000 for production, and testing of system hardware and security systems.

The DPS Size and Weight Permit Office can be reached by any of the following methods:

75th Anniversary Banquet

DPS employees, current and former please join us in celebrating 75 years of DPS service to Oklahoma. Please see the attached file or visit www.DPS75th.com for more details. Our speaker is Governor Keating and the meal will be catered by the Petroleum Club. We will also recognize the trooper of the year and the civilian employee of the year. If you are interested please be prompt with your ticket ordering, tickets may go fast. The deadline to purchase tickets for the DPS 75th Anniversary Banquet is Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

New Medical Certification Requirements for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Holders

Effective January 30, 2012, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) will be adding your medical certification status and the information on your medical examiner's certificate to your Commercial Driver's License System (CDLIS) record.

Corporation Commission Assumes Oversight Over Wrecker and Towing Service Rates and Fees

On November 1, 2011, the Corporation Commission assumes oversight of the establishment of rates and fess for wrecker services. In addition, the Corporation Commission becomes the state entity responsible for mediating and adjudicating complaints related to rates and fees that wrecker services charge for towing vehicles and vehicle storage.

Theses changes became law when HB 1743 was signed by the Governor on May 26, 2011, and become effective November 1, 2011. Click here to read House Bill 1743 in it's entirety.

Effective November 1, 2011, please refer all billing complaints, invoice discrepancies, or questions regarding rates and fees charged by wrecker services or towing companies to the Corporation Commission by:

Governor Issues Burn Ban

Governor Mary Fallin issued an Executive Proclamation banning outdoor burning for 45 counties.  County Commissioner Burn Bans remain in effect in counties not covered by the Governor's proclamation.  Read more »

State Rep. Dustin Roberts assists state trooper with arrest

A quiet Sunday night drive to the capital quickly turned into a law enforcement assist for Oklahoma State Rep. Dustin Roberts.  Read more »

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DPS Makes Submitting DL/ID Address Changes Easier

The Department of Public Safety announced today the ability for Oklahoma residents to submit driver license and ID card address changes via the Internet. Read more »

Click here to submit a change of address.

Driver License/ ID Card Renewal Notification

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