Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Vaccine Injuries
Oklahoma’s roadways stretch across rural plains and busy cities, supporting everything from local errands to heavy industry transport. But with that comes risk—and every year, hundreds of people lose their lives in vehicle crashes across the state.
In this post, we’ll walk through the latest available data on fatal traffic accidents in Oklahoma, explain what contributes to these crashes, and highlight how this information can help when building a legal claim after a tragedy.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO), there were 744 traffic fatalities in 2023. This was a slight drop from the 762 deaths reported in 2021 but still reflects a persistent public safety issue.
In 2023, Oklahoma reported 744 traffic fatalities, with over 50% involving alcohol, drugs, or lack of restraints. – Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO)
A closer look at the data shows that many of these deaths were preventable. Whether due to impaired driving, speeding, or not wearing seat belts, the same risks continue to take lives on Oklahoma roads.
Fatal crashes in Oklahoma tend to involve one or more of the following factors:
Driving under the influence remains a significant cause of deadly crashes. Under Oklahoma law, a driver can face DUI charges with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. Even at 0.05%, a driver can be cited for DWI.
Drivers under 21 in Oklahoma face zero-tolerance DUI laws, meaning any trace of alcohol can result in legal action. – Oklahoma Statute §47-11-906.4
Substance-related fatalities include not just alcohol but also marijuana and other drugs. In 2020, 199 fatal crashes involved alcohol. That trend has remained steady or increased slightly in recent years.
Unsafe speeds were involved in at least 185 deaths in 2020, and 2023 data suggests similar patterns. Many of these crashes happen on rural highways where speeds are higher, and enforcement is limited.
Using a phone behind the wheel is dangerous and illegal in Oklahoma. Texting while driving has been banned since 2015, yet nearly 20% of surveyed drivers admit to doing it anyway.
Wearing a seat belt greatly improves your chances of surviving a crash. Still, many drivers and passengers skip this simple step.
Even though city streets accounted for the most individual crash sites, rural highways saw a larger share of fatal crashes due to higher speeds and lower enforcement visibility.
In 2023:
For children, Oklahoma law requires:
Surveys show that over 91% of drivers report using child safety seats, but regional gaps exist. In the Tulsa Metro, the usage rate was around 90.9%, while other regions, like the Southwest, fell below 88%.
Every driver faces some level of risk on the road, but crash data shows that some groups are more frequently affected than others.
Drivers under the age of 21 are overrepresented in fatal crash data. In 2023, 81 young drivers lost their lives in crashes across the state.
Helmet use is not mandatory for adult riders in Oklahoma, and more than 50% of motorcyclist deaths in 2023 involved riders not wearing helmets.
In 2023, 103 pedestrians and 11 cyclists were killed in traffic crashes. Many of these incidents occurred in urban areas like Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
Understanding state law is key when pursuing compensation after a fatal crash.
In Oklahoma, DUI (BAC of 0.08% or higher) and DWI (BAC between 0.05% and 0.08%) carry severe penalties, especially if a fatality is involved. For underage drivers, zero-tolerance laws mean any detectable alcohol is grounds for arrest.
Oklahoma follows a comparative fault system. This means if you’re found partially at fault in a crash, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were 20% responsible and suffered $100,000 in damages, you could recover $80,000.
Crash data isn’t just about trends. It can help support legal arguments in both personal injury and wrongful death claims.
If your case involves alcohol, speed, or lack of safety restraints, showing how often those behaviors lead to fatal crashes can strengthen your claim. This is especially useful when insurers try to dispute fault or reduce compensation.
Category | Number of Fatalities | Notes |
| Total Traffic Fatalities | 744 | Down from 762 in 2021 |
| Alcohol-Only Related | ~105 | Based on recent trend of 26% share |
| Drug-Only Related | ~190 | Based on 2021–2022 averages |
| Alcohol + Drug Combined | ~75 | Polysubstance fatalities remain significant |
| Unrestrained Occupants | 256 | 1 in 3 fatalities involved lack of seat belt use |
| Pedestrians | 103 | Often in urban areas or near highways |
| Cyclists | 11 | Higher rates during evening hours |
| Motorcyclists | 74 | Helmet use remains inconsistent |
| Young Drivers (<21) | 81 | High-risk group with increased phone use |
Alcohol impairment, speeding, distracted driving, and not using seat belts are leading causes of traffic fatalities in Oklahoma, according to OHSO data.
You may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. A legal claim can cover damages like funeral expenses, medical bills, and loss of support.
Yes. Oklahoma has a zero-tolerance law for underage drivers, indicating that there may be legal repercussions for any measurable level of alcohol.
Yes, depending on the circumstances of the crash, failing to wear a seatbelt may affect your compensation under Oklahoma’s comparative fault rule.
Children under two must be in a rear-facing seat; ages 2–4 in a forward-facing seat; and 4–8 in a booster seat unless taller than 4’9″. Non-compliance can result in fines and reduced legal protection.
Traffic deaths in Oklahoma continue to affect hundreds of families each year. The data makes it clear that speed, impairment, and inattention are still the most dangerous behaviors on the road. Wearing a seat belt, following speed limits, and staying sober behind the wheel can help save lives.
For families dealing with the aftermath of a fatal crash, understanding the law and gathering the proper evidence is critical. Graves McLain Injury Lawyers helps families explore their legal options and seek justice when lives are lost too soon.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
