What you should know about Oregon’s new distracted driving law
It’s good news for road safety advocates.
cell phone law
Undercover distracted driving sting leads to 107 stops in just 5 hours
Not sure how many deputies there were, but that’s a lot of law-breakers.
Phone use study finds Oregon drivers are “least distracted” in America
The most robust study of phone use while driving ever conducted.
Oregon Senate prez wants distracted driving penalties on par with drunk driving
Repeat violators could felony charges, a prison sentence or hefty fines.
Oregon Senate votes (yet again) to let cabbies use hand-held phones while driving
Should they be allowed to use phones while driving?(Photo by J. Maus/BikePortland) For the second legislative session in a row, the Oregon Senate has voted in favor of a bill that would allow taxicab operators to use hand-held cell phones while driving. Oregon’s existing cell phone law (ORS 811.507) permits the use of hands-free mobile … Read more
Talking while driving doesn’t boost crash rates, surprising new study finds
What if talking on a cell phone behind the wheel isn’t so dangerous after all?
Oregon Senate says cab drivers should be exempt from cell phone law
“These are people who are struggling and their livings are made by whether or not they can pick folks up… This is their life.”— Sen. Larry George, the bill’s sponsor The Oregon legislature made a strange move on Monday that is very likely to make Portland roads less safe for everyone. By a vote of … Read more
Legal in “frontier counties”? Changes proposed for Oregon’s cell phone law
On a rural road in a “frontier” county this would be perfectly legal if HB 2507 passes.(Photo © J. Maus) In 2009, the Oregon State Legislature passed a law (ORS 811.507) that makes it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving (hands-free headsets are allowed). The law was great news for traffic safety … Read more
Friday Opinion: Time to get tough on distracted driving
The (illegal) use of mobile phones while operating a vehicle is way too common in Portland and more needs to be done to raise awareness of this and other behaviors that lead to distracted driving. I’m sure there was a brief period after January 1, 2010 — when our state’s cell phone law went into … Read more
Does Oregon’s new cell phone law apply to people on bikes?
Cell phones and bikes — like riding blind!(Photo © J. Maus) Since Oregon enacted their new cell phone law on January 1st, many people have asked me if it applies to people riding bicycles. My previous opinion was that it doesn’t, but a closer look at the law now has me less certain — and … Read more
By one vote in the Senate, Oregon finally moves to curtail cell phones while driving
“The use of cell phones is increasing so much that we have to get a handle on it now.”— Ginny Burdick (D-Portland) After several years of trying, the Oregon Legislature has passed a law that will make the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle illegal. House bill 2377, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn … Read more
Correction: Cell phone bill heads for Senate vote
HB 2377, a bill sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Tomei that looks to strengthen laws against people who use mobile devices (texting or talking) while driving, has made it out of the Senate Rules Committee (where it was stuck last time we checked in) and is headed for a vote on the Senate floor.
Comment of the Week: A 45-year bike commuter weighs in