Okla. Stat. tit. 69, § 69-101

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 22

(a) Recognizing that safe and efficient highway transportation

is a matter of important interest to all the people in the state,

the Legislature hereby determines and declares that an integrated

system of roads and highways is essential to the general welfare of

the State of Oklahoma.

(b) The provision of such a system of facilities, and its

efficient management, operation and control, are recognized as

urgent problems, and as the proper objectives of highway

legislation.

(c) Inadequate roads and streets obstruct the free flow of

traffic; result in undue cost of motor vehicle operation; endanger

the health and safety of the citizens of the state; depreciate

property values; and impede generally economic and social progress

of the state.

(d) In designating the highway systems of this state, as

hereinafter provided, the Legislature places a high degree of trust

in the hands of those officials whose duty it shall be, within the

limits of available funds, to plan, develop, operate, maintain and

protect the highway facilities of this state, for present as well as

for future use.

(e) To this end, it is the intent of the Legislature to make the

State Highway Commission and its Director, and the Department of

Highways of the State of Oklahoma acting through the Commission,

custodian of the State Highway System and to provide sufficiently

broad authority to enable the Commission and the Department to

function adequately and efficiently in all areas of appropriate

jurisdiction, subject to the limitations of the Constitution and the

legislative mandate hereinafter imposed.

(f) The Legislature intends to declare, in general terms, the

powers and duties of the Commission and its Director, leaving

specific details to be determined by reasonable rules, regulations

and policies which may be promulgated by the Commission. In short,

the Legislature intends by a general grant of authority to the

Commission to delegate sufficient power and authority to enable the

Commission and the Department to carry out the broad objectives

stated above.

(g) It is the further intent of the Legislature to bestow upon

the boards of county commissioners similar authority with respect to

the county highway system. The efficient management, operation and

control of our county roads and other public thoroughfares are

likewise a matter of vital public interest. The problem of

establishing and maintaining adequate roads and highways,

eliminating congestion, reducing accident frequency, providing

parking facilities and taking all necessary steps to ensure safe and

convenient transportation on these public ways is no less urgent.

(h) While it is necessary to fix responsibilities for the

location, design, construction, maintenance and operation of the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 69. Roads, Bridges, and Ferries Page 23

several systems of highways, it is intended that the State of

Oklahoma shall have an integrated system of all roads, highways and

streets to provide safe and efficient highway transportation

throughout the state. The authority hereinafter granted to the

Commission and to counties and municipalities to assist and

cooperate with each other and to coordinate their activities is

therefore essential.

(i) The Legislature hereby determines and declares that this

Code is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health

and safety, for promotion of the general welfare, and as a

contribution to the national defense.