Best Oregon Car Insurance (2024)

The best Oregon car insurance will be coverage that provides full protection at a reasonable price. While you are required to carry Oregon’s required minimum car insurance, most drivers opt to carry more than that. If you aren’t sure what coverage you should get, we go over everything you need to know about buying affordable Oregon car insurance coverage, from car insurance requirements to the best car insurance companies.

If you want to start shopping for cheap Oregon car insurance quotes today, use our free quote comparison tool to find the cheapest companies in your area.

Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!

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Oregon Car Insurance Coverage and Rates

Maybe you’re an Oregonian or plan to visit in the nearby future. Either way, we’ve put together a special guide with things you should know about Oregon car insurance rates and coverage

Because let’s face it, researching this stuff on your own can be a pretty laborious, right?

That’s why we’ve created a guide that contains that information. We’re talking about everything you need to know.

Look no further for cheap car insurance rates and companies with the best ratings. We’ve also got you covered on the road with state laws, rules of the road, and data on weather and speeding conditions that could help you stay safe on your journey.

Now, let’s take a little drive through the state of Oregon.

Oregon Minimum Coverage

Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services outlines the minimum requirements to be insured in the state. They are the following:

• $25,000 liability coverage for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident
• $50,000 liability coverage for total bodily injury or death liability in an accident
• $25,000 liability coverage for property damage per accident
• $15,000 in personal injury protection coverage (per person)
• Uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 total per accident

Most states require that you have bodily injury liability for a person and persons, as well as property damage in the event that you get into an accident.

Oregon is unique. In fact, there are two additional forms of coverage needed to get you on the road–personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

PIP usually pays for medical expenses and other out-of-pocket expenses after an accident for the policyholder and its occupants.

UM coverage protects the occupants of the vehicle in the event that the at-fault driver is uninsured–while this is pretty awesome, this coverage, unfortunately, does not apply to damage to the vehicle.

Not only is one required to have these specified types of insurance while driving, but they are also required to have proof that they are insured with these minimum requirements.

These are called forms of Financial Responsibility.

Let’s take a look.

Forms of Financial Responsibility

Forms of responsibility are state requirements that prove you are insured with the minimum coverage to protect a driver in the event that there is an accident.

Your insurance card validates your claim to be insured in the event of an accident. But what other forms are necessary?

According to Oregon’s Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division through the Secretary of State they are the following:

1. A current motor vehicle insurance card issued by the insurer either  a paper card or electronically
2. An unexpired motor vehicle liability insurance policy for the particular vehicle that meets the standards set forth in ORS 806.080;
3. An unexpired motor vehicle liability insurance binder issued by the insurance carrier or agent for the particular vehicle that meets the standards set forth in ORS 806.080
4. A letter signed by a representative from an insurance carrier or its authorized agent, on letterhead, that verifies current insurance coverage;
5. A certificate of self-insurance issued by the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division of the Department of Transportation (DMV) under ORS 806.130 naming the owner of the particular vehicle
6. A displayed Oregon dealer plate unless the vehicle dealer is exempt from the requirement to file a certificate of insurance under ORS 822.033

While the list may seem exhaustive, it is extremely important. Failure to provide the necessary documentation in Oregon for your car will result in your license being suspended.

And we don’t want that.

In fact, in Oregon, if you are caught without having proof of insurance, you may be required to file an SR-22–a  future financial responsibility obligation required for proof that may make your rates higher and deem you an at-risk driver to future insurers.

But we’ll get into all that later.

For now, let’s take a look at the breakdown of how much families in Oregon pay for insurance compared to their income per capita.

Premiums as a Percentage of Income

An individual’s income per capita is the amount of money one has remaining to keep and save after taxes.

Since Oregonian drivers pay roughly $894.10 on average, that means that roughly 2.45 percent is spent on car insurance of their annual income.

How is this fair with the rest of the nation? Oregon comes in a little over the halfway mark for the average premium per income. Paying less than Nevada it’s neighbor, who comes in the top ten most expensive, but not less than other neighboring states like  Washington and Idaho.

Oregon has also sat above the national average for three consecutive years from 2012-2014, although it took a dip in percentage in 2013.

Something to keep in mind if you are living in the state.

Next, we’ll talk about the average rate for each type of coverage in the state of Oregon.

 Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates in OR (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive)

Here’s a data table displaying how much, on average, Oregonians paid for their insurance coverage according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

According to the most recent auto insurance reporting, based on the state minimum, the U.S. average premium cost was $1,009 in 2015 — individuals in Oregon paid $905, $104 cheaper. While this 10 percent dip may seem like a victory, it’s neighbor Idaho paid $680 that same year, the cheapest out of all states, 33 percent below average.

So each state has its perks and downside when it comes to the amount they pay for insurance each year–something to also keep in mind.

With the data being several years old, you can expect some premiums to be on the rise and who knows, some states may have even lower minimums.

Hang on. We’re talking about additional liability next.

Additional Liability

Anything could happen.

In fact, accidents happen every day. While we talked about the minimum required coverage for the state of Oregon, there is also additional liability to ensure greater coverage in the event of an accident.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is an additional type of insurance in Oregon that customers can use to bulk up their policy. It provides protection in the event that you’re in a collision with an at-fault driver who isn’t carrying liability insurance or whose limits are too low to cover damages or medical expenses.

And a loss ratio? A loss ratio shows how much a company spends on the types of claims to how much money they take in on premiums.

In the event, we have a loss ratio of 60, 60 percent, which indicates the company spent $60 on claims out of every $100 earned in premiums. So the closer the ratio is to 100, the more claims that are paid. That’s why a 60 – 70 loss ratio is considered to be in the safe zone.

Oregon’s loss ratio is only slightly above average and is considered in the safer range. Good to know when purchasing additional liability.

And with even greater reason. 12.7 percent of individuals in Oregon are uninsured drivers, making them 21st in that nation for uninsured motorists.

While this is not as serious as its neighbor California, which ranks 12th in the nation for uninsured drivers, it is always on the safer side to ensure greater coverage in the event you do get in an accident with someone who is uninsured.

Often, drivers filing a claim are surprised to find that their full coverage does not include emergency roadside service or rental reimbursement.

Going beyond the minimum coverage and getting additional liability is great–just make sure you read your policy to ensure the maximum amount of protection possible.

That’s why you’ll want to read the next section. We’ll be talking about additional add-ons and informing you about coverage that most don’t know exist outside of the standard policy.

Add-ons, Endorsements, and Riders

So far, we’ve covered the minimum required insurance standard for Oregon as well as a few add-ons like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

We wanted to provide you with a few more types of insurance to keep you informed while making the best decision for you or your family.

That being said, here are some other types of insurance that you might find helpful.

Go ahead, see what appeals to you:

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance
• Pay-As-You-Drive or Usage-Based Insurance (check for state-specific laws)

Now that you may have familiarized yourself with different types of coverage one could add to their standard policy, we’ll be seeing how gender, age, and marital status can affect your car insurance rates.

Average Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in OR

Yes, one’s rate can be influenced based on your gender, age, and marital status.

It’s true.

Simply look at the chart below to see how rates are affected by one’s circumstance.

American, for instance, charges $3,000+ more if you’re a male rather than female.

Rates are also much higher if you are younger–as those individuals have less experience on the road. Progressive and Farmers charge over $8000 if you are 17 years old, but drops that price to $2000s+ when individuals turn 25.

It is also interesting to note that companies like Farmers drop their rates a tad for married couples when they become elderly, as they have more experience behind the wheel most likely.

Next, we’ll show you cheaper rates by ZIP codes, as where you live can also affect your rate.

Cheapest Rates by ZIP Code

Some companies charge more, or less, depending on where you live in the state of Oregon.

Feel free to type in your ZIP code to check your rates.

Companies usually charge less in rural settings. Malheur, Oregon, which appears in the top five cheapest ZIP codes, is in the 94 percent range.

Popular areas usually have higher rates. Such is the case with Portland, which has four ZIP codes in the top five for the most expensive. Multnomah’s ZIP code also appears and understandably so as it’s county seat is located in Portland as well.

Cheapest Auto Insurance Rate comparisons by City

Sometimes certain cities are given higher or lower rates.

Let’s take a look.

Both La Grande and Union appear as cities with cheaper rates and rightly so as they are among the safer cities with fewer crimes and offenders (Union city only had one sex offender registered as of 2017).

Ontario and Baker are also relatively small in size, with a population below 2000.

The most expensive? Gresham, Happy Valley, Fairview, Troutdale, and of course, Portland.

Best Oregon Car Insurance Companies

Many insurance companies will promise you the best deals. But how do you know which ones are legitimate?

We’re here to help.

We’ve narrowed down the best insurance companies in this section and provided you with different scopes–ratings, most affordable, driving record, and more.

Let’s start by taking a look at the largest companies and their financial rating.

The Largest Companies Financial Rating

The financial rating of a company displays its strength and its weaknesses, like if it’s close to bankruptcy for instance. This is important because a lot of work goes into measuring a company’s framework with AM Best.

We’ve compiled a list of the top ten largest companies and their financial ratings for you to consider.

Check it out below.

We all know companies like Geico and State Farm have steadily been the face of insurance companies in America. But they actually show great strength overall as a corporation.

In fact, all of the largest companies in Oregon have strong AM ratings.

Good to know right?

Next, we’ll look at companies with the best ratings.

Companies with Best Ratings

In 2018 J.D. Power ranked insurance companies based on customer satisfaction. We’ve seen previously the companies with the greatest financial strength–but are those companies among the favorites of your peers?

According to the data, PEMCO actually scored the highest among the states in the Northwestern region, including Oregon. Many of the states who showed great financial strength–like State Farm and GEICO, for example, were rated at average.

Bigger isn’t always better.

Something to keep in mind.

Now we’ll look at companies who had the most complaints in Oregon.

Companies with Most Complaints in Oregon

Reviews are everything nowadays.

So while a customer’s dissatisfaction with an organization doesn’t mean the company entirely is bad, it does raise a cause for concern, especially when purchasing something as important as insurance.

Farmers lead the pack with the most complaints, while companies like Oregon Mutual and Allstate had fewer complaints.

And since we’ve looked at the companies by complaints, we’ll now take a look at the cheapest companies in Oregon.

Cheapest Companies in Oregon

Who doesn’t like cheap?

Let’s take a look to see which companies offer the lowest rates to individuals in Oregon.

USAA and State Farm lead the pack, coming in far below the state average.

Allstate and Safeco on the other hand offer more expensive rates.

Getting an affordable deal is great. Keep in mind, however, that paying less doesn’t automatically mean that the company has the best potential.

That’s why it’s good to look at rates from all angles when making a decision.

So let’s keep going.

We’ll be looking at rates based on commutes next.

Commute Rates by Companies

Do you have a short commute? Or long?

Get this–companies even change their rates depending on how long it takes you to travel to work.

Let’s take a look.

Companies like Geico and Travelers bump their rate up a tad for longer commute times while companies like Allstate and Farmers give their customers a break.

Thinking about boosting your coverage?

We’ll talk about that next.

Coverage Level Rates by Companies

Everyone starts off with a basic amount of coverage. But what if you want to increase your coverage? Which companies allow you to do that with no problem, and where does that come with a cost.

Let’s see.

With companies like American, for instance, you actually benefit from getting higher coverage.

Geico on the other hand chargers 17 percent more, with Travelers and Farmers bumping their price in the hundreds.

Credit history, as it does other things, can also affect your rate. We’ll examine that next.

Credit History Rates by Companies

Some companies can penalize you for having bad credit. Let’s take a look.

All companies listed penalize you for having bad credit, but some more than others.

USAA and Liberty Mutual, for example, hiked rates up over 100 percent–with State Farm barely falling short.

This is interesting.

And to think that is something, you rates are also affected if you have a good driving record–or not.

Driving Record Rates by Companies

Your driving record is one that you control for the most part–so if you’re good standing, rates may be relatively cheaper for you.

But what if you have an unfavorable driving record? Let’s see how these companies manage those factors.

Surprisingly, State Farm only ups your rate 10 percent if you manage to have a bad driving record and end up with DUI.

Good news for some.

But talk about double trouble. Geico doubles its rates and USAA nearly follows suit.

Moving on, let’s take a look at companies who are the largest in state and see how they fair with rates.

Largest Car Insurance Companies in Oregon

A company’s market share shows how much a company is invested out of the total industry.

State Farm is the top insurer in Oregon, while Progressive and Farmers follow behind, respectively.

Want to know how many insurance carriers are in your state, domestic and foreign.

Let’s take a look.

Number of Insurers by Oregon

Domestic insurance is formed under state laws while foreign insurance is formed under laws that apply to every state in the U.S.

In the state of Oregon, there are 18 domestic insurers and 848 foreign insurers, totaling 866 insurers in the state.

Again, so many to choose from.

But with the different lenses that we saw through for rates, you’re that much informed, which is great when you’re looking to purchase insurance.

Read more: Oregon Mutual Insurance Review & Complaints: Auto, Home & Business Insurance

Oregon Laws

Who likes tickets and violations? A part of getting on the road requires knowledge of state laws to avoid such penalties.

Imagine having a list of laws of those laws readily available to ensure safe and successful travel.

Look no further.

Below we’ve listed Oregon state driving and insurance laws so you can be as informed as possible while on the road.

We’ll delve into topics for all types of drivers–existing residents, new residents, and teens, for example–and general laws applicable to all.

Car Insurance Laws

Oregon, like most states, requires drivers to maintain certain types and amounts of insurance coverage.

As a reminder, they are the following:

• $25,000 liability coverage for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident
• $50,000 liability coverage for total bodily injury or death liability in an accident
• $25,000 liability coverage for property damage per accident
• $15,000 in personal injury protection coverage (per person)
• Uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 total per accident

Don’t get caught driving without your license.

The consequences?

Fines, losing one’s driving privileges, and vehicle towing depending on the circumstances during the event.

Let’s avoid the hassle. Be sure to always have your insurance card or one of the financial forms of responsibility in the event you are pulled over at a traffic stop.

Next, we’ll determine just how these laws are formed.

Read more: Oregon Car Insurance Laws

How Oregon Laws for Insurance are Determined

Laws are formed with the intention of keeping an individual’s safe, especially on the road.

The path of a Law, from the time it is just an idea to the time it arrives at the Governor’s desk for approval, is paved with many detours.

The Oregon State Legislature outlines the process laws undergo to come to effect for Oregonians.

Did you know that there were even laws for windshield coverage? Let’s take a look.

Windshield Coverage

Being on the road is super unpredictable. While you may not get into an accident, you may have a rare occurrence where you get a crack in your windshield.

Imagine that.

Unfortunately, Oregon does not have a law mandating a zero deductible glass coverage benefit for local drivers.

Thus, it’s up to the insurance companies to set that deductible.

As you may be getting ready to purchase your insurance or perhaps update your policy and trade carriers, be sure to ask about windshield coverage.

One could never be too safe.

High-Risk Insurance

Earlier, we talked about how individuals who had trouble on the road were considered a higher risk for insurance companies.

Those individuals require high-risk insurance as they are prone to accidents and situations that make them a liability to insurance companies.

According to Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services if one loses their coverage or license after a conviction they might be required to submit an SR-22. This document is filed with the insurance company and the state and shows proof that you have liability coverage and in most cases is required for up to three years.

Once you become a high-risk driver you may need to shop around as some companies do not offer assistance.

Oregon is a part of the Western Association of Automobile Insurance Plans–a center designed to assist high-risk drivers with finding insurance.

So there may be hope after all.

But in order to avoid having to obtain a higher risk insurance policy, it’s best to keep your best behavior on the road at all times (we’ll be talking about how to drive safely on Oregon roads later on).

Find out the best car insurance companies for high-risk drivers.

Low-Cost Insurance

But what about low-income families? Does the state of Oregon provide any assistance?

Although Oregon offers assistance for high-risk drivers, they do not offer assistance for low-income families like states like California, New Jersey, and Hawaii.

A bummer.

But as stated earlier, some insurance plans are more affordable than others–something to keep in mind.

Automobile Insurance Fraud in Oregon

In Oregon, insurance fraud is classified as a crime.

Insurance fraud covers anything from individuals faking false claims to obtain money to falsifying damages in an accident.

And while that is across the board, they also have immunity statues, exemptions for those deemed exemplified.

If you think you’re ready to start shopping around for the best coverage enter your ZIP code to compare quotes.

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Statute of Limitations

A statute of limitations is the period of time that the state must begin criminal prosecution. Thus, people affected have a certain amount of time to pursue legal action.

In Oregon, misdemeanors typically have two-year statutes of limitations.

Let’s say a driver got into an accident and decided three years later to pursue legal action. In Oregon, they would have exceeded the maximum time and wouldn’t be able to make a claim.

So be sure to handle your business matters in the event of an accident and factor in time for turnarounds, as companies are often servicing hundreds and thousands of people at a time.

Oregon Specific Laws

Each state has specific laws. The State of Oregon highlights laws on lane travel, turns, and intersections, sharing the road and more.

We’ll read about vehicle licensing laws next.

Vehicle Licensing Laws

A current license is required to allow a vehicle legal permission to be utilized or to be kept on a public road within those state lines.

Let’s take a look at these vehicle licensing laws regarding individuals of diverse populations including teens, older drivers, and new residents.

Real ID

According to Homeland Security, the Real ID was established so that the government could set higher standards for the issuance of sources of identification, including driving licenses.

Beginning July 6, 2020 Oregonians will have the option of obtaining driver’s licenses or identification cards that are compliant with the Federal Real ID Act.

According to the State site for Oregon, the real ID is basically for flying commercially or accessing a federal facility–in that case, you may want to get one.

Real ID cards will be optional, and Oregonians who do not wish to get one can keep their standard driver license or ID card.

So while you’re good to go with your standard license on the road, without a REAL ID you will be required to present additional documentation at the airport. And Oregon has a real ID extension until October 1, 2020, so that should buy you some time.

Penalties for Driving Without Insurance

As stated before, driving without a license could land you in some serious trouble.

Let’s take a look at the specifics.

So let’s say you have your first offense. You’ll receive a fine of $130-$1000 ($260 is the presumptive fine).

If involved in accident you could have a one-year license suspension, in that case, you’d have to file for an SR-22/ proof of financial responsibility which is required for three years. You’ll also have a $75 reinstatement fee and be required on a monthly basis to prove you’re insured for three years.

Yikes!

These penalties are the same whether you’ve committed an insurance violation [f]or the first time, or for the second time, and so on.

According to ValuePenguin a simpler way to look at this (as a recap) would be:

1. Fines
2. (In worse cases) suspension
3. Monthly verification
4. Renewal

Let’s drive responsibly.

And the same goes for teens. We’ll talk about that next.

Teen Driver Laws

Each state acknowledges younger drivers and Oregon is no different.

The Insurance Information Institute outlines the process of teens obtaining their license. The chart can be view here for the state of Oregon.

At the age of 15 –

• Mandatory holding period: Six months
• Minimum amount of supervised driving: 50 hours (100 hours without driver education)

At the age of 16 –

• Unsupervised driving prohibited: midnight-5 a.m
• Restrictions on passengers (family members okay): first six months–no passengers younger than 20; second six months–no more than three passengers younger than 20
• Nightime restrictions & passenger restrictions: 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)

Keep in mind that the minimum liability requirements apply to teens as well–failure to comply could result in the suspension of one’s license and we don’t want that.

Older Driver License Renewal Procedures

While state driving laws apply to all individuals on the road, there are a few other standards that those who are elderly must adhere to.

All drivers must renew their licenses in person at a DMV office every eight years.

In conjunction with that renewal, a vision test is required while a written and road test may also be asked of the individual.

There may also be some restrictions just like the ones we just went over with teens but more specific to the age like no driving at night.

New Residents

If you are new to the Oregon state, congratulations.

The Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services outlines a few basics to get you squared away.

They are:

• Get an Oregon Driver License
• Title and register your vehicle

You must do this before thirty days so it’s best to hit the ground running.

And if you already have a license and want to get it transferred over–no problem.

As long as it was approved by these places then you’re good to go:

• Another U.S. state
• The District of Columbia
• A  Territory of the U.S.
• A Canadian Province.

License Renewal Procedures

The next time you renew your driver’s license, you might notice something a bit different.

Take a look at the video below.

But despite how different they may look, the process is still the same.

You can renew up to twelve months before or after your ID expires, or six months after military discharge.

Here are the instructions:

• Fill out the application
• Take it to a DMV office
• Show proof of physical address and identity
• Pay the $40.50 renewal fee
• Get your picture taken

You’ll get an interim card to use as proof until your new one comes in the mail.

Good luck.

Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)

States like California have a point system for individuals who recklessly drive without regard to another individual or individuals. But what about Oregon? How do they keep track of individuals who are a willful danger on the road?

Oregon does have something for repeat offenders on the road in their Habitual Offender Program.

Under that program, three or more offenses committed within a five year period result in a five-year suspension of one’s license. They are:

• Any degree of murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, recklessly endangering another person, menacing or criminal mischief resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle
• Driving while under the influence of intoxicants
• Driving while your license is suspended or revoked
• Reckless driving
• Failure to perform the duties of a driver after a collision
• Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer

Oregon also has a Driver Improvement Program dedicated to motivating people to drive safely.

And if you have been convicted of multiple traffic offenses and/or preventable traffic accidents over a certain period of time, you may be subject to the Driver Improvement Program.

Safety is best.

Next, we’ll get into the rules of the road.

Rules of the Road

Every state differs when it comes to rules on the road. This particular section will cover important information on speed limits, car seat laws, and more.

Hang in there. There is good stuff.

Fault vs. No-Fault

Oregon is a “fault” state. This simply means that the individual who was at fault for causing the accident is also responsible for any harmful results. Their policy will absorb the cost, up to its limits of course.

This differs from a “no-fault” state where drivers have insurance to cover their own injuries and damages.

Seat belt and car seat laws

When it comes to seat belt and car seat laws, Oregon is no different.

Who is covered? And in what seats? All individuals who are 16 years and older, and in all seats.

Getting caught without your seat belt on? A $115 fine initially.

And what about children? What are their seat belt requirements?

• Must be in child safety seat: younger than 2 years must be in a rear-facing child restraint; 7 or younger: 40 pounds or less must be in a child restraint; more than 40 pounds but 4 feet and 9 inches or less must be in a booster seat
• Adult belt permissible: taller than 4 feet, 9 inches; ages 8-15

The same minimum fine applies if caught without a seatbelt–$115, with subsequent fines applicable

Currently, there are no preferences for rear seats.

Keep in mind, Oregon also has restrictions on individuals riding in cargo areas.

So now that we’re buckled up, what are some rules to follow while you’re actually driving?

Keep Right and Move Over Laws

In 2018, Oregon expanded its move-over law to incorporate protection for individuals pulled over while driving, not just emergency vehicles.

The new law states that you must move over to another lane or slow down giving the vehicle in distress as much room as possible.

But what about laws on speeding tickets?

Speed Limits

Everyone hates a speeding ticket.

Let’s outline the speeding limits in Oregon to ensure you can avoid those costly fines at all times.

• Rural interstates (mph)–65; 70 on specified segments of road; trucks: 55; 65 on specified segments of road
• Urban interstates (mph)–55
• Other limited-access roads (mph)–55
• Other roads (mph)–65

There’s truly no need for speed–always remember safety is best.

Ridesharing

Oregon is currently the last state that doesn’t have any ridesharing laws but several bills are underway.

Currently, only a few cities in Oregon have ride sharing and it’s creating a very large patchwork quilt of different regulations and inconsistent requirements.

House Bill 3023 would eliminate regulations that currently exist in cities, creating a single standard that Uber, Lyft and their drivers must meet statewide.

House Bill 3379 would place an emphasis on local regulations, setting baseline standards and requiring that the companies meet any additional community rules before setting up shop.

Great things to look forward to in the future.

Now let’s talk about automation on the road.

Automation on the Road

Automation is the use of a machine or technology utilized to administer tasks previously carried out by humans. In regards to driving, this comes down to aspects such as cameras and sensors.

We are looking to work with any company that has interest in bringing automated vehicles to Oregon, and we have established a voluntary testing notification process to facilitate the exchange of information between AV manufacturers and the agency.

Oregon welcomes the automation on its roads and is currently seeking to be paired with companies to bring about significant change in the state.

Again, something to look forward to.

Safety Laws

So far we’ve talked about some standard laws of the past as well as some brewing in the new future with automation and ridesharing.

But there are still thousands of people every year who get penalized for laws that commonly affect our safety. We’re talking DUI laws, marijuana-impaired driving laws, and distracted driving laws, for instance.

Let’s take a look together, staring with DUIs Laws.

DUI Laws

In Oregon, DUI is technically defined as a DUII (driving under the influence of intoxicants).

Each state defines limits that are unsafe while on the road. Check out the chart on DUI below.

Breaking these laws come with serious consequences. We’ve outlined them for you below.

So be sure to obey the state regulations for drinking and drinking because the consequences are dire.

And we wouldn’t want that.

Not only is drinking and driving illegal but so is driving under the influence of another substance–marijuana.

Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws

Marijuana is actually legal in the state of Oregon.

However, driving under the influence is not.

Driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII) refers to operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated or drugged, including impairment from the use of marijuana.

Currently, there are no standards for how much marijuana is illegal, however, the same DUII laws for driving impaired with alcohol apply for marijuana.

Distracted Driving Laws

Oregon recently updated its distracted driving law. Take a look at the video to see how those changes could affect you.

 Driving Safely in Oregon

Have you ever wondered how safe it is to drive in Oregon?

In this section, we’ll be covering vehicle theft, road risks, weather, commute time, and more.

This data is good to know especially if you are driving on Oregon roads daily.

Let’s take a look at vehicle theft.

Vehicle Theft in Oregon

Did you know that the type of car you drive on the road could make you a target to theft? Take a look at the chart below to see the most stolen cars in Oregon.

Read more: Best Car Insurance Company for Jeeps

The 1994 Honda Accord was the car most susceptible to theft in Oregon in 2016. This was closely followed by the 1998 Honda civic with 1,276 thefts.

And here’s a list of thefts via city as well. Take a look.

Oregon’s most popular city Portland comes first as the city with the most vehicle theft. Gresham, Oregon and Salem were also popular for vehicle theft.

Chances are if you live in Hubbard City, Gearheart, and North Plains, to name a few, you have a way less likelihood of getting your vehicle stolen.

This data is a few years old so perhaps some of these numbers have increased since then.

Road Fatalities in Oregon

Again, accidents do happen. And unfortunately every day.

This upcoming section will show you factors that cause them, as well as places they may happen most, and even what type of people are in them.

Useful when driving through Oregon for sure.

Most fatal highway in Oregon

According to Geotab, the most dangerous highway is Highway 101.

Something to keep in mind when you’re traveling and enjoying the much popular and scenic route.

But not only do highways cause accidents, but weather conditions as well.

Fatal Crashes by Weather Condition and Light Condition

Here are the fatal crashes by weather conditions. Take a look.

More accidents occurred in the daylight and in the dark.

Interesting isn’t it.

Fatalities (All Crashes) by County

Did you know certain counties have higher car fatalities than others?

All five years Multnomah County came in as one of the most fatal counties. Lane County also appeared in the top three over five years as well. Clackamas is among the popular also.

Safer places to drive are Sherman County, Gilliam County, and Wheeler County.

But what about regions, rural and urban. How do those fair?

Traffic Fatalities

Here is a chart displaying fatalities by which region you live, urban and rural. Interesting how that could affect your driving experience as well.

From 2008 to 2017, rural fatalities were higher than urban.

Next, we’ll look at data involving a person on the road and fatalities caused by them.

Fatalities by Person Type

Wouldn’t it be interesting if you could avoid certain cars or vehicles that were more prone to accidents?

The chart below outlines the fatalities causes by specific persons.

One interesting call out is that pedestrians caused more accidents than motorcyclists.

What about fatalities by crash type?

Fatalities by Crash Type

Let’s take a look at the chart below to examine the type of crashes in Oregon that resulted in fatalities. Again, this information is to keep you informed as you are out driving and to take into consideration for your personal safety.

You were most likely to have a fatal crash if you were involved in roadway departure, driving as a single vehicle, or speeding.

Now let’s look at the five-year trend for the top 10 counties.

Five-Year Trend For The Top 10 Counties

What is the five-year trend in the top ten counties?

Multnomah and Lane County appeared in the top three counties for all five years.

Perhaps the reason why there are so many fatalities in the populous Lane county is due to the fact that 90 percent is forest land and navigating may be challenging for some. And again Multnomah’s county seat is located in Portland and its popularity could attest to so many fatal accidents.

And did you know that certain counties had higher speeding fatalities than others? We’ll talk about that next.

Fatalities Involving Speeding by County

Imagine knowing which county had the most speeding fatalities. How would that change your judgment during travel?

Multnomah appears to be the county with more speeding fatalities than others. Clackamas and Lane County as well.

What about fatalities impaired by alcoholic drivers. Some counties are at a greater risk than others.

Let’s take a look.

Fatalities in Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver by County

Below is a chart for fatalities involving an alcohol-impaired driver–by county.

Multnomah has an extremely high risk for alcoholic fatalities, as well as Lane County. Individuals living or driving through Clackamous must also be weary as this suburb of Portland also has a high fatality rate in regards to alcohol impairment.

Teen Drinking and Driving

DUII is against the law, and the same rules apply for teens as well. Let’s look at the chart below.

Oregon ranks 12th in nation for DUI arrests. That’s pretty serious.

EMS Response Time

Seconds can literally mean the difference between life and death when it comes to EMS response times.

EMS response time is normally much faster in the city than it is in more rural locations.

This may be because there are more EMS services located in city areas than there are in the country.

As you can see, the response time for the city is quicker than that of rural areas, by nearly half across all spectrums.

Transportation in Oregon

Lastly, we’ll take a look at transportation in Oregon — how many cars on average do Oregonians have? And what about their commute time? And congestion?

Let’s get started.

Car Ownership

According to Data USA, most likely if you are living in Oregon, you have a total of two cars, followed by three.

Commute Time

Individuals in Oregon have a shorter commute time than the normal US worker by like three minutes.

Commuter Transportation

And people in Oregon drive alone, just as much as the national average for method of travel. Next, carpooling seemed the second popular followed by working at home. Learn ways to get around without a car.

Traffic Congestion

According to Inrix Portland, Oregon appears as the 70th most congested city in the United States. Individuals spend 116 hours spent in congestion, five minutes spent in traffic during peak hours, costing an average of $1,625 per driver.

And that’s it.

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