Oregon Speeding Laws

Basic Speed Law: A person commits an offense if they drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to all of the following: The traffic; the surface and width of the highway; the hazard at intersections; weather; visibility; and, other conditions then existing. OR § 811.100(1)

Penalty for Exceeding Speed Limit

A first time violator may be:

• fined between $75 and $600, and
• the violator’s license may be suspended 30 days under Driver Improvement Program.

Penalty for Reckless Driving

A first time violator may be:

• fined not more than $5,000,
• sentenced to jail time of not more than 12 months, and
• the violator’s license may be suspended 90 days.

Speed Limits

• 65 MPH on rural interstate highways
• 55 MPH on other highways
• 25 MPH in a public park
• 25 MPH in a residential district if the district is not located within a city or urban growth boundary that is a county with a population more than 100,000 and the highway is neither an arterial nor a collector
• 25 MPH on the ocean shore
• 20 MPH in a school zone
• 20 MPH in a business district
• 15 MPH in an alley

Driver Improvement Program

• Step One: An offender is mailed an "advisory letter" if they commit 2 traffic offenses within 12 months. This letter informs the offender of their driving problems.
• Step Two: If (1) an offender has committed 1 or 2 traffic offenses within 6 or 12 months respectively of date of the advisory letter or (2) they have committed 3 traffic offenses within 18 months, they are mailed a "warning letter." This letter notifies the offender of the possible consequences if they are convicted of any more traffic offenses.
• Step Three: If (1) offender has committed 1 or 2 traffic offenses within 6 or 12 months respectively of date of the warning letter or (2) they have committed 4 traffic offenses within 18 months, they are subject to a driver improvement interview. During this interview, the licensing agency proscribes a program for driver improvement, places the offender on probation for 1 year and place restrictions on the offender's driving privileges.
• Step Four: If an offender commits a traffic offense during the 1 year probationary period, they are subject to a 30 day suspension. Note: This suspension appears to be mandatory.