Washington, Oregon traffic laws differ

Wahkiakum drivers need to be aware of the new driving laws that took effect in Oregon January 1.

Some of the new laws are quite strict. One law in particular has changed and is yet to be referenced in the Oregon Driver Manual and has to be broken first before one realizes there is such a law.

The law most Washingtonians could get nabbed for is Oregon’s new “hands free” wireless law. Under the wireless hands-free law, if you are over the age of 18, you may use a wireless device in conjunction with a hands free accessory that allows you to keep both hands on the wheel while driving and talking.

Drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted use any kind of a wireless device while driving a car, except during specific emergency situations or on a farming or agricultural operation.

The exceptions also include emergency and safety workers.

Oregon has strengthened its implied consent law too. That means is any person driving on Oregon highways or city street automatically gives their consent to a blood, breath or urine test.

If the police officer suspects a driver is intoxicated, the officer will keep the license and issue a temporary license on the spot that remains in effect until the trial date. Refusal to take the test is considered evidence of guilt in court and will result in an immediate license suspension.

The minimum fine for a DUII is now $1,000. Additionally, first time offenders will spend a minimum of 48 hours in jail.

The courts are also now allowed to require 80 hours of community service and impose various other DUII fees. The offender’s license will be suspended for one year and a drug/alcohol treatment program must be completed at the offender’s expense.

Then there is a change to the law governing how police treat someone who runs a yellow light. Since 1920 the steady yellow traffic light at the intersection has always meant prepare to stop, if you can do so safely. The current Oregon drivers manual says that is how a yellow light should be treated.

Oregon judges, however, interpret the law governing the yellow stop light differently. Running a yellow light in Oregon now is the same as running a red light and the fines are imposed accordingly.

“ I know its not in the Oregon Driver Manual,” said Municipal Court Judge Diana Shera-Taylor of Scappoose, Ore., “but Oregon judge’s have decided its safer for people to think of yellow lights as red.”

The current fine for this unwritten law is $310.

Oregon’s seat belt law has also been strengthened to include parking lots. Oregon police can now ticket you if your keys are in the ignition and you don’t have your seatbelt fastened while sitting in a parking lot.