Chapter 811 — Chapter 811
201 sections in this chapter.
ORS 811.395 Appropriate signals for stopping, turning, changing lanes and decelerating. This section establishes appropriate signals, for purposes of the vehicle code, for use when signals are required while stopping, turning, changing lanes or suddenly decelerating a vehicle. This section does not authorize the use of only hand and arm signals when the use of signal lights is required under ORS 811.405. Vehicle lighting equipment described in this section is vehicle lighting equipment for which standards are established under ORS 816.100 and 816.120. Appropriate signals are as follows
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(1) To indicate a left turn either of the following: (a) Hand and arm extended horizontally from the left side of the vehicle. (b) Activation of front and rear turn signal lights on the left side of the vehicle. (2) To indicate a right turn either of the following: (a) Hand and a…
ORS 811.400 Failure to use appropriate signal for turn, lane change, stop or exit from roundabout; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to use an appropriate signal for a turn, lane change or stop or for an exit from a roundabout if the person does not make the appropriate signal under ORS 811.395 by use of signal lamps or hand signals and the person is operating a vehicle that is
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(a) Turning, changing lanes, stopping or suddenly decelerating; or (b) Exiting from any position within a roundabout. (2) This section does not authorize the use of only hand signals to signal a turn, change of lane, stop or deceleration when the use of signal lights is required …
ORS 811.405 Failure to signal with lights; exceptions; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to signal with lights when required if a person is operating a vehicle and does not use the vehicle lighting equipment described under ORS 811.395 to signal when turning, changing lanes, stopping or suddenly decelerating under any of the following circumstances
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(a) During limited visibility conditions. (b) At any time the person is operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles in which the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of the vehicle is greater than 24 inches…
ORS 811.410 Unsafe passing on left; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unsafe passing on the left if the person violates any of the following requirements concerning the overtaking and passing of vehicles
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(a) The driver of a vehicle that is overtaking any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the other vehicle at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. (b) Except when…
ORS 811.415 Unsafe passing on right; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unsafe passing on the right if the person
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(a) Drives a vehicle to overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle at any time not permitted under this section. (b) Drives a vehicle to overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle at any time by driving off the paved portion of the highway. (2) For purposes of t…
ORS 811.420 Passing in no passing zone; exceptions; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of passing in a no passing zone if the person drives a vehicle on the left side of a roadway in a no passing zone that has been established and designated to prohibit such movements by appropriate signs or markings posted on the roadway
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(2) The authority to establish and post no passing zones for purposes of this section is established under ORS 810.120. (3) The provisions of this section do not apply under any of the following circumstances: (a) When a driver turns left into or from an alley, intersection, priv…
ORS 811.425 Failure of slower driver to yield to overtaking vehicle; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure of a slower driver to yield to overtaking vehicle if the person is driving a vehicle and the person fails to move the person’s vehicle off the main traveled portion of the highway into an area sufficient for safe turnout when
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(a) The driver of the overtaken vehicle is proceeding at a speed less than a speed established in ORS 811.105 as prima facie evidence of violation of the basic speed rule; (b) The driver of the overtaking vehicle is proceeding at a speed in conformity with ORS 811.105; (c) The hi…
ORS 811.430 Driving on highway divider; exceptions; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of driving on a highway divider if the person drives a vehicle over, across or within a dividing space, barrier or section that is an intervening space, physical barrier or clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic and that divides a highway into two or more roadways
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(2) For purposes of this section, a “dividing space” includes pavement markings of solid double yellow lines with yellow cross-hatching between the double yellow lines. (3) This section does not apply when the movement of a vehicle that is otherwise prohibited by this section is …
ORS 811.435 Operation of motor vehicle on bicycle trail; exemptions; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of operation of a motor vehicle on a bicycle trail if the person operates a motor vehicle upon a bicycle lane or a bicycle path
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(2) Exemptions to this section are provided under ORS 811.440. (3) This section is not applicable to mopeds. ORS 811.440 and 814.210 control the operation and use of mopeds on bicycle lanes and paths. (4) The offense described in this section, operation of a motor vehicle on a bi…
ORS 811.440 When motor vehicles may operate on bicycle lane. This section provides exemptions from the prohibitions under ORS 811.435 and 814.210 against operating motor vehicles on bicycle lanes and paths. The following vehicles are not subject to ORS 811.435 and 814.210 under the circumstances described
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(1) A person may operate a moped on a bicycle lane that is immediately adjacent to the roadway only while the moped is being exclusively powered by human power. (2) A person may operate a motor vehicle upon a bicycle lane when: (a) Making a turn; (b) Entering or leaving an alley,…
ORS 811.445 Use of throughway when prohibited; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of use of a throughway when prohibited if any use restrictions or prohibitions are posted by appropriate signs giving notice thereof and the person violates any restriction or prohibition so posted
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(2) The authority to impose restrictions and prohibitions for purposes of this section is granted under ORS 810.020. (3) The offense described in this section, use of throughway when prohibited, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §646; 1995 c.383 §69]
ORS 811.450 Violation of posted truck routes; defense; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of violation of posted truck routes if appropriate signs designating truck routes are posted and the person does not operate a vehicle in compliance with the posted requirements
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(2) Authority to establish and change truck routes for purposes of this section is established in ORS 810.040. (3) It is a defense to a charge of violation of this section if the person so charged can establish that the person could not reach the person’s destination without trav…
ORS 811.455 Failure to stop for railroad signal; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to stop for a railroad signal if the person fails to comply with any of the following requirements
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(a) A person who is driving a vehicle must stop the vehicle at a clearly marked stop line on the near side of a railroad crossing or, if there is no clearly marked stop line, not less than 15 feet nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the crossing under any of the follow…
ORS 811.460 Failure to follow rail crossing procedures for high-risk vehicles; application; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to follow rail crossing procedures for high-risk vehicles if the person takes any vehicle described in this section across any railroad or rail fixed guideway public transportation system tracks at grade without doing all of the following
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(a) Stopping the vehicle at a clearly marked stop line or, if there is not a clearly marked stop line, not less than 15 feet nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad or rail fixed guideway public transportation system. (b) While so stopped, listening and lookin…
ORS 811.462 Failure of operator of commercial motor vehicle to slow down and check tracks; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure of the operator of a commercial motor vehicle to slow down and check that tracks are clear of an approaching train or other on-track equipment if the person
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(a) Is operating a commercial motor vehicle that is not required by ORS 811.460 to stop before reaching a rail crossing; (b) Is approaching a rail crossing at grade; and (c) Fails to slow down and check that the tracks are clear of an approaching train or other on-track equipment…
ORS 811.465 Exemptions from high-risk vehicle rail crossing procedures. This section establishes exemptions from the special crossing procedures established for high-risk vehicles under ORS 811.460. The exemptions are partial or complete as described in the following
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(1) The vehicles are not required to comply with the procedures at a crossing of a street or highway and rail fixed guideway public transportation system tracks if: (a) The rail fixed guideway public transportation system vehicles operate within and parallel to the right of way o…
ORS 811.470 Improper movement of heavy equipment across rail crossing; application; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of improper movement of heavy equipment across a rail crossing if the person operates or moves any equipment described in this section upon or across any tracks at a railroad or rail fixed guideway public transportation system grade crossing without complying with any of the following
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(a) Before moving across the tracks, the person must give notice of an intended crossing to a responsible officer of the railroad or rail fixed guideway public transportation system in time for protection to be given. (b) Where the railroad or rail fixed guideway public transport…
ORS 811.475 Obstructing rail crossing; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of obstructing a rail crossing if the person is operating a vehicle and the person does either of the following
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(a) Drives onto any railroad or rail fixed guideway public transportation system grade crossing when there is not sufficient space on the other side of the railroad or rail fixed guideway public transportation system grade crossing to accommodate the vehicle the person is operati…
ORS 811.480 Illegal backing; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of illegal backing if the person backs a vehicle the person is driving when it is not safe to do so or when it causes interference with other traffic upon a highway
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(2) The offense described in this section, illegal backing, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §653; 1995 c.383 §75]
ORS 811.481 [2015 c.1 §73; repealed by 2016 c.24 §76]
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[Repealed or reserved.]
ORS 811.482 Use of marijuana in motor vehicle; penalty. (1) As used in this section
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(a) “Consumes” includes the inhalation of smoke from a marijuana item by a driver or passenger of a motor vehicle. (b) “Marijuana item” has the meaning given that term in ORS 475C.009. (2) A person commits the offense of use of marijuana in a motor vehicle if the person consumes …
ORS 811.483 Safety corridors; penalty. (1) The Department of Transportation shall post signs in safety corridors chosen by the department indicating that fines for traffic offenses committed in those safety corridors will be doubled
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(2)(a) The presumptive fine for a person charged with an offense that is listed in subsection (3)(a) or (b) of this section and that is committed in a safety corridor chosen by the department under subsection (1) of this section shall be the amount established under ORS 153.020. …
ORS 811.485 Following too closely; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of following too closely if the person does any of the following
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(a) Drives a motor vehicle so as to follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon, and condition of, the highway. (b) Drives a truck, commercial bus or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle…
ORS 811.490 Improper opening or leaving open of vehicle door; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of improper opening or leaving open a vehicle door if the person does any of the following
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(a) Opens any door of a vehicle unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so and it can be done without interference with the movement of traffic, or with pedestrians and bicycles on sidewalks or shoulders. (b) Leaves a door open on the side of a vehicle available to traffic, …
ORS 811.492 Engine braking; penalty; exception. (1) A person commits the offense of engine braking if the person is operating a motor vehicle on a highway and uses an unmuffled engine brake
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(2) The offense described in this section, engine braking, is a Class A traffic violation. (3) A person is not in violation of this section if the person uses an unmuffled engine brake in an emergency situation to avoid imminent danger to a person or to property. [1993 c.314 §7]
ORS 811.495 Unlawful coasting on downgrade; exception; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawful coasting on a downgrade if the person is the driver of a vehicle on a downgrade and the person coasts with the gears or transmission of the motor vehicle in neutral or with the clutch disengaged
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(2) This section does not apply to the driver of a motorized bicycle. (3) The offense described in this section, unlawful coasting on a downgrade, is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §656; 1985 c.16 §321; 1995 c.383 §76]
ORS 811.500 Unlawful stop or deceleration; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawful stop or deceleration if the person is operating a vehicle and the person stops or suddenly decreases the speed of the vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal to the driver immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give the signal
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(2) Appropriate signals for the purpose of this section are as designated under ORS 811.395 and 811.400. (3) The offense described in this section, unlawful stop or deceleration, is a Class B traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §657; 1995 c.383 §77]
ORS 811.505 Failure to stop when emerging from alley, driveway or building; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to stop when emerging from an alley, driveway or building if the person is operating a vehicle that is emerging from an alley, building, private road or driveway in a business or residence district and the person does not stop the vehicle as follows
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(a) If there is a sidewalk or sidewalk area, the person must stop the vehicle before driving onto the sidewalk or sidewalk area. (b) If there is no sidewalk or sidewalk area, the person must stop at the point nearest the roadway to be entered where the driver has a view of approa…
ORS 811.507 (1) As used in this section
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(a)(A) “Driving” means operating a motor vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public, and while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device or other momentary delays. (B) “Driving” does not include when the motor vehicle has stopped in a location w…
ORS 811.508 Distracted driving avoidance course; rules. (1) The Department of Transportation by rule shall establish standards for a distracted driving avoidance course provided to persons who violate ORS 811.507. The standards must describe the contents and quality of a curriculum for the course, specify requirements for obtaining a certificate or other evidence of having completed the course and otherwise determine the level and depth of knowledge a person must have obtained from the course
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(2) The department shall maintain a list of providers approved to lead the course described in this section and shall update the list monthly. The department shall prescribe procedures for providing the provider list to courts. [2017 c.629 §4] Note: 811.508 was added to and made …
ORS 811.510 Dangerous operation around livestock; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of dangerous operation around livestock if the person is operating a vehicle upon a highway and the person fails to do any of the following
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(a) A driver shall use caution when approaching or passing a person riding, leading or herding livestock on the highway. (b) If a person riding or leading livestock upon a highway gives a distress signal to an approaching driver by raising a hand, the driver must promptly stop th…
ORS 811.512 Unlawfully operating low-speed vehicle on highway; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawfully operating a low-speed vehicle on a highway if the person operates a low-speed vehicle on a highway that has a speed limit or posted speed of more than 35 miles per hour
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a city or county may adopt an ordinance allowing operation of low-speed vehicles on city streets or county roads that have speed limits or posted speeds of more than 35 miles per hour. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this …
ORS 811.513 Unlawfully operating medium-speed electric vehicle on highway; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawfully operating a medium-speed electric vehicle on a highway if the person operates a medium-speed electric vehicle on a highway with a posted speed limit that is greater than 45 miles per hour
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(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, a city or county may adopt an ordinance allowing operation of medium-speed electric vehicles on city streets or county roads that have speed limits or posted speeds of more than 45 miles per hour. (3) The offense described in th…
ORS 811.514 Unlawfully operating racing activity vehicle on highway; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawfully operating a racing activity vehicle on a highway if the person operates a racing activity vehicle on a highway that has a speed limit or posted speed that is greater than 55 miles per hour
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(2) The offense described in this section, unlawfully operating a racing activity vehicle on a highway, is a Class B traffic violation. [2007 c.693 §3c] Note: 811.514 was added to and made a part of the Oregon Vehicle Code by legislative action but was not added to ORS chapter 81…
ORS 811.515 When lights must be displayed; kind of light; number; direction; use on certain vehicles. This section establishes requirements for ORS 811.520. Except where an exemption under ORS 811.525 specifically provides otherwise, a vehicle that does not comply with this section is in violation of ORS 811.520. Where specific types of lighting equipment are mentioned in this section, those types are types described in ORS 816.040 to 816.290. The requirements under this section are as follows
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(1) Subject to any other provision of this section, any lighting equipment a vehicle is required to be equipped with under ORS 816.040 to 816.290 must be displayed when the vehicle is upon a highway within this state at any time limited visibility conditions exist. The provisions…
ORS 811.520 Unlawful use or failure to use lights; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawful use or failure to use lights if the person does any of the following
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(a) Drives or moves on any highway any vehicle at a time when vehicle lighting is required to be operated or is prohibited from being operated under ORS 811.515 and operates or fails to operate lighting equipment as required under ORS 811.515. (b) Owns a vehicle or combination of…
ORS 811.525 Exemptions from requirements for use of lights. This section establishes exemptions from ORS 811.515 and 811.520. The exemptions under this section are in addition to any exemptions under ORS 801.026. The exemptions established under this section are partial or complete as described in the following
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(1) ORS 811.515 and 811.520 shall not be construed to prohibit the use of additional parts and accessories on any vehicle not inconsistent with the provisions of those sections. (2) Except for the provisions relating to exempt-vehicle safety lighting equipment, ORS 811.515 and 81…
ORS 811.526 Safety campaign for use of headlights. The Department of Transportation shall conduct a safety campaign to educate people about the advantages of using headlights in fog or rain or when driving on a single lane highway. The campaign shall include, but need not be limited to, encouraging people to drive with headlights on under the specified conditions. [1997 c.464 §1]
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Note: 811.526 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 811 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation. (Flares)
ORS 811.530 Failure to post warnings for disabled vehicle; application; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to post warnings for a disabled vehicle if the person is the driver, or other person in charge of a vehicle subject to this section, and the person does not cause the placement of such roadside vehicle warning devices as the Department of Transportation may require under ORS 815.035 when the vehicle is disabled during limited visibility conditions and cannot immediately be removed from the main traveled portion of a highway outside of a business district or residence district
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(2) This section applies only to the following vehicles: (a) School buses. (b) School activity vehicles. (c) Worker transport buses. (d) Vehicles used in transportation of persons for hire by a nonprofit entity. (e) A bus being operated for transporting children to and from relig…
ORS 811.535 Failing to obey police officer; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failing to obey a police officer if the person refuses or fails to comply with any lawful order, signal or direction of a police officer who
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(a) Is displaying the police officer’s star or badge; and (b) Has lawful authority to direct, control or regulate traffic. (2) The offense described in this section, failing to obey a police officer, is a Class B traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §663; 1995 c.383 §79]
ORS 811.540 Fleeing or attempting to elude police officer; penalty. (1) A person commits the crime of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer if
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(a) The person is operating a motor vehicle; and (b) A police officer who is in uniform and prominently displaying the police officer’s badge of office or operating a vehicle appropriately marked showing it to be an official police vehicle gives a visual or audible signal to brin…
ORS 811.550 Places where stopping, standing and parking prohibited. This section establishes places where stopping, standing and parking a vehicle are prohibited for purposes of the penalties under ORS 811.555. Except as provided under an exemption in ORS 811.560, a person is in violation of ORS 811.555 if a person parks, stops or leaves standing a vehicle in any of the following places
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(1) Upon a roadway outside a business district or residence district, whether attended or unattended, when it is practicable to stop, park or leave the vehicle standing off the roadway. Exemptions under ORS 811.560 (1), (7), (9), (11) and (12) are applicable to this subsection. (…
ORS 811.555 Illegal stopping, standing or parking; affirmative defense; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of illegal stopping, standing or parking if
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(a) The person stops, parks or leaves standing a vehicle in a place where such stopping, parking or standing is prohibited under ORS 811.550; or (b) The person is the owner of an unattended vehicle parked in a place where such parking is prohibited under ORS 811.550. (2) Exemptio…
ORS 811.560 Exemptions from prohibitions on stopping, standing or parking. This section provides exemptions from ORS 811.550 and 811.555. The following exemptions are applicable as provided under ORS 811.550
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(1) When applicable, this subsection exempts school buses or worker transport buses stopped on a roadway to load or unload workers or children, providing that the flashing school bus safety lights on the bus are operating. (2) When applicable, this subsection exempts vehicles sto…
ORS 811.562 Parking in parking space with out-of-service meter. (1) When a parking meter operated by any public body as defined in ORS 174.109 is out of service, a person may park a vehicle in any parking space regulated by the out-of-service meter
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(a) If the space is one in which the vehicle would otherwise be allowed to park; (b) For the maximum amount of time that would otherwise be allowed for the space; and (c) Without payment of the parking fee that would otherwise be charged for the space for that amount of time. (2)…
ORS 811.565 Dangerous movement of stopped, standing or parked vehicle; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of dangerous movement of a stopped, standing or parked vehicle if the person moves a vehicle so stopped, standing or parked when the movement cannot be made with reasonable safety
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(2) The offense described in this section, dangerous movement of a stopped, standing or parked vehicle, is a Class B traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §675; 1995 c.383 §80]
ORS 811.570 Improperly positioning parallel parked vehicle; exception; affirmative defense; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of improperly positioning a parallel parked vehicle if
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(a) The person stops or parks a vehicle on a highway where parallel parking is permitted and the vehicle is not parked in accordance with the following: (A) Upon a two-way highway, the vehicle shall be positioned so that the right-hand wheels are parallel to and within 12 inches …
ORS 811.575 Violation of posted parking restrictions on state highways; affirmative defense; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of violation of posted parking restrictions on state highways if appropriate signs or markings are posted giving notice of any regulations, restrictions or prohibitions on the parking, stopping or standing of vehicles on a state highway and
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(a) The person parks, stops or stands a vehicle on a state highway in violation of any such regulations, restrictions or prohibitions; or (b) The person is the owner of an unattended vehicle parked on a state highway in violation of any such regulations, restrictions or prohibiti…
ORS 811.580 Parking vehicle on state highway for vending purposes; penalty. (1) A driver commits the offense of unlawful parking for vending purposes if the person parks or leaves standing a vehicle on a right of way of a state highway for the purpose of advertising, selling or offering merchandise for sale except pursuant to written agreement with the Department of Transportation
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(2) The offense described in this section, unlawful parking for vending purposes is a Class D traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §674]
ORS 811.585 Failure to secure motor vehicle; affirmative defense; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to secure a motor vehicle if the person is driving or is in charge of a motor vehicle and
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(a) The person permits the vehicle to stand unattended on a highway without first doing all of the following: (A) Stopping the engine. (B) Turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway when standing upon any grade. (C) Locking the ignition. (D) Removing the key from…