Oregon’s speed limit laws have seen significant updates in recent years, reflecting a growing emphasis on road safety and local control. This article delves into the intricacies of these laws, offering a thorough understanding of both the statutory and designated speed limits, as well as recent legislative changes that impact how these limits are set and enforced.
Statutory and Designated Speed Limits
In Oregon, speed limits are classified into two categories: statutory and designated. Statutory speed limits are set by state law and include standard limits such as 25 mph in residential districts, 20 mph in school zones, and 65 mph on most interstates. Designated speed limits, on the other hand, are determined through an engineering investigation. These investigations consider a range of factors, including traffic volume, crash history, roadside density, and the existing speed limits to establish the most appropriate speed for a particular area.
Local Control over Speed Limits
A significant development in Oregon’s approach to managing speed limits is the shift toward local control. A state law enacted in 2023 allows Oregon’s 241 cities, as well as Multnomah and Clackamas counties, to apply for the authority to set speed limits within their jurisdictions. This change is a departure from the previous system, where the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and a limited number of traffic engineers held the authority to designate speed limits on local roadways. The new law is designed to make the process of changing speed limits more efficient and responsive to local needs, particularly in areas where speeding or accidents are a concern.