An Act
ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 1584 By: Dollens of the House
and
Brooks of the Senate
An Act relating to tow trucks; amending 47 O.S. 2011,
Section 11-314, as last amended by Section 26,
Chapter 161, O.S.L. 2020 (47 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section
11-314), which relates to approaching stationary
authorized vehicles on the roadway; creating
Bernardo's Law; and providing an effective date .
SUBJECT: Tow trucks
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2011, Section 11 -314, as
last amended by Section 26, Chapter 161, O.S.L. 2020 (47 O.S. Supp.
2020, Section 11-314), is amended to read as follows:
Section 11-314. A. This section shall be known and may be
cited as "Bernardo's Law".
B. The driver of a motor vehicle, upon approaching a stationary
authorized emergency vehicle, a Department of Transportation
maintenance vehicle, a Turnpike Authority maintenance vehicle, a
stationary vehicle that is displaying flashing lights or a licensed
wrecker that is displaying a flashing amber light, a combination red
or blue light or any combination of amber, red or blue lights,
shall:
1. If traveling on a highway that consists of two or more lanes
that carry traffic in the same direction of travel as that of the
driver, the driver shall proceed with due caution and shall, if
possible and with due regard to the road, weather, and traffic ENR. H. B. NO. 1584 Page 2
conditions, change lanes into a lane that is not adjacent to the
stationary authorized emergency vehicle, a Departmen t of
Transportation maintenance vehicle, a Turnpike Authority maintenance
vehicle, or licensed wrecker; or if the driver is not able to change
lanes or if to do so would be unsafe, the driver shall proceed with
due caution and reduce the speed of the motor vehicle to a safe
speed for the existing road, weather, and traffic conditions; and
2. If traveling on a highway other than a highway described in
paragraph 1 of this subsection, the driver shall proceed with due
caution and reduce the speed of the moto r vehicle to a safe speed
for the existing road, weather, and traffic conditions.
B. C. This section does not relieve the operator of a
stationary authorized emergency vehicle, a Department of
Transportation maintenance vehicle, a Turnpike Authority main tenance
vehicle, or licensed wrecker from the consequences of reckless
disregard for the safety of all persons and property upon the
highway.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2021.
ENR. H. B. NO. 1584 Page 3
Passed the House of Representative s the 9th day of March, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the 21st day of April , 2021.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ___________ _________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________ ________________