GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Oregon. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.
Universal helmet law enacted 1988.
8 years
50 and over: vision test required
None
Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use
None
65
65
65 (70 on specified segments)
65
55
55
0.15
90 days
After 30 days
Mandatory for all convictions and diversions
Yes
No
Under 2 yrs in a rear-facing child restraint
Properly used child restraint (harness) required until child weight 40 lbs.
Booster required until the child is 8 years old AND the adult seatbelt fits correctly OR the child is 4’9” tall
8-15 yrs or over 4'9" tall
50; 100 without driver's ed.
16
Midnight - 5 a.m.
First 6 months: no passengers under 20 Second 6 months: No more than 3 passengers under 20
17 years
15
6
Primary
All riders
All
Yes. Primary law.
No
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
All drivers. Primary law.
Permitted by state law
Statewide (effective January 1, 2023); not on controlled access highways; must be operated by uniformed police officer out of marked police vehicle; only permitted in construction zones when workers are present
Permitted by state law
Statewide
For three months, from August through October, Hood River County has created a temporary Puma Path to Mid Valley Elementary with paw stencils and a crosswalk to reduce safety concerns of Odell Highway and inspire students to walk a half mile from the Mud Alley neighborhood to school in a weekly “walking bus” with their peers and caregivers.
October 21, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2024
Contact: Adam Snider, 202-580-7930, 202-365-8971 (after hours)
David Reich (NRSF), 914-325-9997
$125,000 in grants to Hawaii, Idaho, Maryland, Oregon and Texas will provide safer walking, biking and scooting options for youth in underrepresented communities
GHSA has awarded a total of $125,000 from the National Road Safety Foundation to five states to partner with community-based groups to implement safe youth mobility programs focusing on walking, biking and/or riding a scooter. This is the third consecutive year that GHSA and NRSF have provided funding to State Highway Safety Offices for youth safety initiatives in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas with limited financial resources.
As interim director of the non-profit Oregon Walks, Zachary Lauritzen has one goal and one goal only. "Keeping people safe on our streets," Lauritzen said. He said it starts with good, solid infrastructure. Then, he said, comes the enforcement.
New research suggests state laws that prohibit drivers from holding a cell phone under any circumstance appear to be effective in reducing rear-end crashes.
As the recipient of a grant from GHSA and ride-hailing company Lyft to prevent impaired driving, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) partnered with the Portland Police Bureau to distribute codes for discounted Lyft rides during the 2019 holiday season.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2019
Contact: Kara Macek, 202-789-0944
After increasing speed limits on some of the state's most-traveled highways, Oregon saw an increase in rural road deaths. ODOT's Troy Costales speaks to the risks of increased speeds.
Bike helmets required?
Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.
