New liquor laws went into effect in Oklahoma as of October 1st, 2018. While these changes have been well-received by beer drinkers and alcohol distributors, they have raised concerns with substance abuse and public safety experts. The changes have many concerned that expanded access could cause harm and raise the potential for abuse. A detailed article on the changes is available here.
About the Changes
Under the revised law, grocery and convenience stores can now sell beer and wine from 6:00 am-2:00 am, seven days a week. Liquor stores can now operate from 8:00 am-12:00 am, Monday through Saturday. Other changes include:
A Potential for Abuse
Integris—a healthcare provider—ranked Oklahoma seventh nationwide for binge drinking in 2016. They state 13% of adults in Oklahoma admit to binge drinking within the past 30 days. In the same year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranked Oklahoma fifth for instances of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.
Drunk Driving a Growing Risk
A Senior Specialist in Public and Governmental Affairs for the American Automobile Association (AAA) of Oklahoma states Tulsa County had 557 alcohol-related crashes in 2015 and 548 in 2016. Alcohol-related fatalities increased from 17 to 24 within that same time period. The State Department of Health says Tulsa reports DUI numbers 20% higher than the state average, and alcohol-related fatalities not specific to automobiles rose from 21 to 27 in the county.
We Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, call Graves McLain right away at 918-359-6600. When you call one of our experienced Tulsa, Oklahoma Car Accident Attorneys, we will speak with you for FREE and determine the best course of action.
We review every detail of your situation at no cost to you—and fight hard to protect your rights. Trust our team, we are here to help. At Graves McLain, you will never pay an attorney’s fee upfront—and you owe us nothing until we win your case. At Graves McLain, we don’t get paid until you do.
Graves McLain, Serious Lawyers for Serious Injuries
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.
