Yes we know the 2024 legislative session just ended, but do you know what state agencies are doing now? They are preparing a package of bills to submit to Gov. Tina Kotek for the 2025 session.
The Oregon Department of Transportation is working on a number of potential bills, but one would allow for increased automated enforcement and expand Oregon’s “Move Over” law.
Automated enforcement in Oregon is limited to speed cameras and red light cameras. Bend’s police department has been working on implementing some in Bend.
It’s not clear to us what exactly ODOT is looking at in terms of more automated enforcement. (We did email Lindsay Baker, ODOT’s assistant director for government and external relations, and Kevin Glenn, ODOT’s communication manager, on Thursday afternoon, but we did not hear back by Friday afternoon.)
We can tell you, though, how other states and the Governors Highway Safety Association have discussed other ways of using automated cameras. One is to catch drivers that scoot around school buses when they have their STOP arm out.
And the cameras could also be used to catch drivers on their phones or not wearing seat belts.
We know many people don’t like the idea of this Big Brotherish, camera-driven law enforcement. But we do like being safe on the road.
The possible expansion of Oregon’s “Move Over” law may be less controversial. The law — Oregon Revised Statute 811.147 — says basically if you come up on a police car or an emergency vehicle with emergency lights flashing, drivers must move over into another lane. If they can’t do that safely, drivers should slow down and give plenty of room for the vehicle.
ODOT’s idea is to add that the requirement would include stationary or slow-moving highway construction or maintenance vehicles, too.
You may already “move over” for construction and maintenance vehicles. It’s a good idea.
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