Laws

From PsirainWiki

This is the current listing of laws applicable to normal people.

U-turn

• Oregon
  • U-turns are illegal in Oregon unless you are
    1. Outside city limits
    2. Away from an intersection
    3. Visible from 1000 feet in all directions

Distracted Driving

• Washington
  • Text messaging will be illegal starting 1/1/2008.
    • Exceptions:
      • Entering a telephone number (wt?)
      • Reporting illegal activity
    • Penalty
      • Does not go on your driving record
      • Are not given to insurance agencies or employers
      • Can only be given if pulled over for another infraction
  • Holding a communication device up to your ear will be illegal starting 7/1/2008
    • Exceptions:
      • Emergency vehicle or tow truck
      • Hands free mode
      • Reporting illegal activity
      • Persons using a hearing aid
    • Penalty
      • Does not go on your driving record
      • Are not given to insurance agencies or employers
      • Can only be given if pulled over for another infraction

Flashing red

• Oregon
  • Treat as a stop sign

Red arrow

• Oregon
  • A red arrow is treated the same as a red circle except that it indicates direction. From reading the regulations it appears possible to have a signal in addition to the red arrow which would allow a different option with the caveat that the red is indicative of the direction pointed to by the arrow and no others.

Turn on a Red Light

• Oregon
  • Legal as long as you are in the lane nearest the turn. If there are two lanes the second lane from the curb CANNOT turn until green.

Seat Belts

• Oregon
  • Under 4 years and 40 pounds or less - appropriate child restraint device required. Oregon defers to national standards here.
  • Age 4-6 years or 40-60 pounds - seat belt must be snug around waist. If vehicle has a shoulder belt it must not be on the neck.
  • Over 6 years and 60 pounds or more - standard safety belt rules apply (looks like the same as above except without the neck requirement?)
  • The above rules do not apply to
    • Pick-up trucks (OR 811.215 1a) - looks like possibly riding in the extracab if there are no seatbelts? Not sure.
    • Newspaper or Mail delivery person
    • Meter Reader
    • Trash collector

Speeding

• Oregon
  • Any speed above the posted limit is illegal. (ORS 815.105)
  • If the speed is not posted
    • alley = 15 mph
    • business district = 20
    • public park = 25
    • residence district outside of city limits not an arterial or collector highway = 25
    • all other areas = 55

Driving on the right

• Oregon
  • Drivers must drive in the right-hand lane except under the following circumstances
    • Traffic
    • When passing
    • Turning left
  • The following must drive inthe right-lane following the same rules as above
    • Any camper
    • Any vehicle with a trailer
    • Any vehicle over 10,000 pounds

Slow moving vehicles

• Oregon
  • Slow = driving less than the normal speed of traffic
  • Must be in the right-lane as close to the curb as safely possible

Turn Signal

• Oregon
  • Turn signals must be instantiated at least 100 feet before the turn

When Children are Present

• Oregon
  • • Occupying or walking within a crosswalk
    • Waiting on the curb or shoulder of the highway at a crosswalk

References

• [Oregon General]
• [Oregon Equipment]
• [Washington Current Legislation]