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| Overview |
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By law, the Oregon Department of Transportation is responsible for establishing speed zones on all highways in Oregon. The Traffic-Roadway Section is responsible for the overall administration of the program. Region traffic engineering staff conduct engineering investigations to determine recommendations for safe speeds on local roads and streets. Cities and counties may appeal speed zoning recommendations to the Speed Zone Review Panel.
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| Speed Zone Standards |
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American law follows the basic idea that most people are reasonable and laws exist to control the few who are unreasonable or inconsiderate. The posted speed zones follow the same idea. The methods for establishing speed zones are based upon careful studies that have been performed in Oregon and throughout the United States.
These studies show that traffic moving at a speed that is reasonable for the road and weather conditions results in fewer accidents. Drivers are more patient because a reasonably uniform speed allows progress with less passing, less delay, and fewer rear-end collisions.
Many people believe that lowering posted speeds will mean fewer accidents, but studies do not prove this. Unrealistically low speeds frustrate many drivers, resulting in numerous speeding violations and unsafe driving, actually causing more accidents. Some motorists may try to make up time by taking a shortcut through residential or other areas that are not suited to higher speeds and increased numbers of cars.
State statutes give Oregon motorists the following designated speed zone standards:
- 15 mph-alleys
- 20 mph-business districts, school zones when children are present
- 25 mph-residential districts, public parks, ocean shores
- 55 mph-open and rural highways, urban interstate highways, trucks on rural interstate highways
- 65 mph-autos on rural interstate highways
Posted speeds override these standards.
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| The Basic Rule |
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Designated and posted speeds are not the final word in Oregon. All travel on public streets and highways is subject to the Basic Rule. The Basic Rule is both a safety valve and an acknowledgment that drivers are able to act independently, reasonably, and with good judgment.
The Basic Rule states that a motorist must drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent at all times by considering other traffic, road, and weather conditions, dangers at intersections and any other conditions that affect safety and speed. The Basic Rule does not allow motorists to drive faster than the posted speed, nor does it set absolute speeds designated for all conditions. The Rule expects drivers to be responsible for their own actions.
Sudden braking at 25 mph on ice or snow in a speed zone posted at 30 mph can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. In this case, the ice or snow has made the posted speed unreasonable. The posted speed is in violation of the Basic Rule.
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| Changing a Speed Zone |
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If a city or county thinks the speed for a particular street or highway should be changed it can make a request to ODOT for a review and investigation. Requests are submitted to the Traffic-Roadway Section which initiates an investigation to determine if a speed zone should be changed. The Region traffic engineering staff conducts an investigation using procedures in accordance with nationally accepted traffic engineering standards. Factors taken into consideration are accident history, roadside culture, traffic volumes, and roadway alignment, width and surface.
A major factor in establishing speed zones is consideration of the 85th percentile speed. This is the speed at or below which 85 percent of the vehicles are traveling. This is used as an indication of the speed most drivers feel is reasonable and safe.
When the investigation is complete, a report with photographs detailing the existing conditions and proposed changes is prepared. The report is sent to the city or county for review. If the city or county agrees with the recommendation, the new speed zone is established.
If ODOT and the local road authority cannot reach agreement on the setting of a speed zone, the speed zone request is referred to the Speed Zone Review Panel. The panel is comprised of representatives of the Oregon Transportation Safety Committee, the Oregon State Police, the Association of Oregon Counties, the League of Oregon Cities, and the Department of Transportation. The panel hears ODOT’s recommendations and testimony from the local road authority and makes the final decision. It is the responsibility of the road authority to install new speed zone signs.
Flow Chart of Speed Zone Establishment Process
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| Interstate Speed Limits |
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Oregon Administrative Rule 734-020-0011
With the exception of temporary construction or emergency speed zones orders, all speed zones on I-5, I-82, I-84, I-105, I-205 & I-405 are set at 65 MPH unless directed otherwise by this Administrative Rule. OAR 734-20-0011 was adopted by the Oregon Transportation Commission pursuant to Legislative Mandate.
After you get to the page linked below, scroll down past the first OAR, (734-020-0005, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) and the first Interstate Speed OAR, (734-020-0010, Establishment of Speed Limits on Interstate Highways) to OAR 734-020-0011, Locations of Interstate Speed Limits other than 65 MPH. click here.
A Recommendation for Setting Speed Limits on Interstate Highways in Oregon
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| Speed Zone Orders On-Line |
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On-Line Copies of Speed Zone Orders
To find, view and copy current designated speed zone orders statewide, click here.
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| Training Program |
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Training classes in conducting speed zone investigations are offered periodically to local agency personnel.
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| More Information |
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Important information on receiving copies of specific
documentation for a speed zone is available Here
Contact the Traffic Roadway Section:
Phone 503 986-3571
FAX 503 986-4063
Or To Email Us Click Here
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