Driving in Oregon
Those that want to best experience all the rugged beauty of Oregon need to travel by car.
Sure, the bicycle culture is thriving in this avant-garde, farm-to-table abundant state. But the rural landscape puts quaint fishing towns, awe-inspiring mountains and the rugged coast – including a path taken in the early 1800s by Lewis & Clark on U.S. 30, the Columbia River Highway – out of reach for most human-powered travelers.
The downside to driving Oregon is the
extreme weather conditions. Torrential rain, mudslides, snow and other hazardous rural road conditions can take new residents and visitors by surprise. Drivers can easily navigate the terrain as long as they understand how to make proper, safe driving decisions and stay alert to the changing weather patterns.
Consider these ideas to expertly navigate the roadways of Oregon:
Automobile Insurance in Oregon
No matter your age or license classification, all drivers in Oregon must carry all of the following insurance: Bodily injury liability; Property damage liability; Personal injury protection; Uninsured motorist insurance.
New residents have 30 days to obtain title and register their vehicles. A driver must have Oregon insurance to do so or the state noted they face "
harsh consequences."
The minimum liability insurance requirements for Oregon drivers are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury, per person
- $50,000 for total bodily injury to others, per accident
- $20,000 for property damage, per accident
The minimum personal injury protection (PIP) insurance requirements are:
- Minimum $15,000 of PIP coverage per person
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage:
- $25,000 per person
- $50,000 per crash
Uninsured drivers in Oregon could face:
Those without insurance involved in accidents face license suspension for one year and other penalties.
Oregon's Car Culture
Unlike its California neighbors who revel in high-end luxury automobiles, many Oregonians favor vehicles that are utilitarian and economical, though some of that changes as the population grows, said Peter Korchnak when interviewed over the phone. Korchnak is a travel writer based in Portland and the co-author of Where Is Your Toothbrush?
"Subaru Outbacks, crossovers and SUVs are very popular," he said. "But as more people move here, we see more expensive, luxury cars especially in areas where there are a lot of apartments."
Environmentally friendly four-wheel rides also fill the roadways. The Smart Fortwo sells in Oregon at 462 percent of the national average,
according to Popular Mechanics. Two other subcompact cars – Mercedes-Benz B-Class and Chevrolet Spark – sell there at three times the national average, reported the magazine.
No matter the vehicle, the car culture has boomed in Oregon since its earliest days. Just a year after its 1859 entry into statehood, road construction began in earnest. In fact, the great need for roads on which to navigate the rugged terrain compelled the state to mandate "All able-bodied men between 21 and 50 years old are required to work two days a year on county roads, or pay $2 per day poll tax," according to a report by
the Oregon government.
Of course building the roads was only half the battle. Oregon has always struggled to maintain the thoroughfares in the face of its harsh climate. Although technology has made that easier, nature still brings surprises. The state rebuilt and continues to strengthen its roadways but the work is an ongoing challenge. Oregon is known for fierce storms that bring torrential rain, deep snow, and mudslides, noted
Oregon Live in recapping a 2008 storm – one of its fiercest.
Still the often changeable and sometimes fierce weather doesn't keep residents from taking to the roads.
"In Oregon, people are active and like to get out there," said Los Angeles-based car enthusiast and former Oregon resident Heather Storm, host of the Velocity television show
"Garage Squad." "But it's no exaggeration to say people are very pleasant in Oregon. I visit frequently because I enjoy the breathing room – the people are so natural and friendly."
There are numerous skits in the IFC television sketch comedy show "Portlandia" that highlight the helpfulness and courtesy of drivers in that Oregon city and throughout the state (
such as "No You Go"). Though the writers employ some artistic exaggeration, the skits aren't far off the mark, says Storm.
Drivers that come to four-way traffic stops will spend an inordinate amount of time waving to other drivers and giving them the right of way. And those that have car trouble will generally find themselves with a host of people who stop to help.
"In general, Oregon drivers are more patient than most in other areas," said Storm. "They're just not in a rush. They'll stop and help anyone who is stranded."
Racking up Miles
Oregonians drive about 14,032 miles per year, according to the most recent FHWA figures. That's about the same distance as their California neighbors, who drive an average of 14,435 miles per year.
Wherever you drive, the cost of visiting scenic destinations, recreational spots or commuting to work not only puts wear-and-tear on your vehicle but drains cash from your pocket, too.
Gasoline, regular maintenance, including oil changes and tire replacements, and atypical expenses such as windshield replacement, totals about 0.26 per mile, according to
My Money Design.com. If you drive 120-miles per day drive, five days a week you're spending $31.22 each day or over $8,000 each year, according to the site. So the average U.S. driver spends $3,503.76 per year. Oregonians spend $3,648.32 per year, according to our calculations.
Urban versus Rural Driving
Statistics show that rural driving is more dangerous than urban driving. Certainly there are more accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists in urban areas, but figures from the
Instituto de Seguros para la Seguridad Vial show that although 19 percent of U.S. residents live in rural areas, 30 percent of vehicle miles traveled and more than 50 percent of fatal crashes occur there.
Urban driving in Oregon is different from in many other states due to the abundance of bicyclists and pedestrians. The watchword in urban areas, say Oregonians, is patience. Drive slowly and yield right of way as often as possible.
The Price of Gas
When drivers think of the ongoing cost of driving, the
price of gas comes immediately to mind.
El documento
average cost of gasoline in the U.S. as of April 2018 at $2.662 per gallon. On the West Coast, the price ranged from $2.786 to $3.527 per gallon.In Oregon, the price was $3.10,
according to AAA. Like most states, Oregon's gas prices fluctuate among regions. A year ago, the average gas price in Oregon was $2.752.
The Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in the U.S. was 4.1 percent at the end of March 2018, according to the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Oregon's unemployment rate was
4.1 percent at the end of February 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Growth industries including Advanced Manufacturing (such as medical products), forestry and wood products, and high technology (software, internet publishing) are among the reasons for the state's low unemployment rate,
according to state information.
Employment plays a factor in driving throughout the U.S. As employment increases, so too do the miles driven as people drive to work and social, sporting and recreational events. In Oregon, the average commute to work is just under
23 minutes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Driving alone in a passenger vehicle is the most
common way Oregonians commute to work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In regards to other methods of getting to work, 11.9 percent took public transportation, 6.1 percent biked, 5.7 percent walked to work and 7.1 percent
work from home.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a major cause of driving dangers in Oregon, as it is throughout the rest of the U.S. Texting, emailing, talking, eating, drinking and even playing recorded music are among the most common distractions that lead to vehicle crashes.
In 2015, 3,477 people were killed in the U.S. due to distracted driving, according to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. From 2012-2016, there were 10,814 crashes that resulted in 70 fatalities and 16,503 injuries due to distracted driving in Oregon,
according to the Oregon government. Such crashes are underreported, noted government officials, who call distracted driving in the state a "growing epidemic."
This year, the state organized a task force to address the incidence of distracted driving and implement solutions. Educational and media campaigns are underway. So too is an amendment to the current cellphone statute to "broadening the definition of device usage and removing many exceptions."
Teenagers Behind the Wheel
There's little doubt that teenagers love to drive, but they often don't realize the hazards involved.
Like most states, Oregon requires potential drivers to take written tests before they are issued instructional permits. Then
teen driving applicants ages 16, 17, 18 or 19 must complete 50 hours of formal driver education or 100 hours of practice with parents before they are eligible to apply for drivers' licenses.
Una vez
training is completed, the driver is subject to the Graduated Driver Licensing laws. Since those laws were passed in 2000, the number of 16-year-old drivers involved in fatal or injury crashes has been cut in half, according to the state.
As evidence, they note teens that complete formal driver training have "much lower crash rates, traffic violations and suspended licenses than those who choose 100 hours of driving practice with their parents to fulfill the licensing requirements."
In addition, the state reported that some parents might not enforce restrictions placed on student drivers at various times in the Graduated Driver Licensing process.
"Teens are sometimes so focused on getting their license, they don't have the restrictions fully in mind," noted state officials in one report. Restrictions include not having friends in the car, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. and no texting or talking on a cellphone while driving."
The state has published guidelines and reminder cards to make sure parents and teens can easily refresh their memories about the rules. Some requirements include:
- Until age 18, drivers cannot operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile communication device, including talking on a cellphone and texting. Hands-free accessories are not allowed. Once the driver turns 18, different restrictions may apply.
- During the first six months of having a license drivers cannot have passengers under age 20 who are not members of their immediate families. They cannot drive between 12 and 5 a.m. except between home and work or home and school when no transportation option is available. The state lessens some of these restrictions when accompanied by a licensed driver age 25 or older.
- During the second six months of licensure, the driver cannot have more than three passengers under the age of 20 who are not immediate family and cannot drive between 12 and 5 a.m. unless the driver follows the earlier restrictions.
The State of Driving in Oregon
Whether their cars are classic, utilitarian, green, subcompact or a combination, Oregonians rely on them to fully enjoy the natural beauty of their state. Learning the polite, patient culture of the state and respecting its traffic and insurance laws is the best way to stay safe on roads where conditions vary widely.