Oregon Traffic Laws, Signs, and Pavement Markings
Speed and the basic rule
Oregon's basic rule requires a speed reasonable and prudent for conditions even when you are under the posted limit. Common limits: 20 mph in school zones when children are present or lights are flashing, 25 mph in residential and business districts unless posted, 55 mph on open rural highways, and 65 mph on rural interstates, with some stretches posted 70.
Signs by shape and color
- Red octagon: stop. Red-and-white triangle: yield. Yellow pennant: no-passing zone. Round yellow: railroad ahead; the crossbuck marks the crossing itself.
- Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon: school zone.
- Yellow diamond: warning. Orange: work zone, where fines double when workers are present.
- White rectangle with black text: regulatory. Green: guide and distance. Blue: services.
Pavement markings
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions: a broken yellow on your side means you may pass when clear, a solid yellow on your side means no passing, and double solid yellow means no passing either way. White lines separate same-direction traffic and mark edge lines, crosswalks, and stop bars. A white diamond marks an HOV lane, and diagonal stripes or chevrons are areas you must not drive on.
Move over
When an emergency or roadside vehicle with lights flashing is stopped ahead, change lanes if you safely can; otherwise slow well below the limit and leave room.
Worked example
You see double yellow with a broken line on your side. Reasoning: the line nearest you governs - broken means passing is permitted when the road ahead is clear. If the solid line were on your side, passing would be illegal no matter how clear the road looked.
Traps
- Reading the other direction's line instead of yours.
- Treating a yellow warning diamond as a rule you must obey literally.
- Ignoring reduced work-zone limits.