Oregon Code § 811.135·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Careless driving; penalty.
(1) A person commits the offense of careless driving if the person drives any
vehicle upon a highway or other premises described in this section in a manner
that endangers or would be likely to endanger any person or property.
(2) The offense
described in this section, careless driving, applies on any premises open to
the public and is a Class B traffic violation unless commission of the offense
contributes to an accident. If commission of the offense contributes to an
accident, the offense is a Class A traffic violation.
(3) In addition
to any other penalty imposed for an offense committed under this section, if
the court determines that the commission of the offense described in this
section contributed to the serious physical injury or death of a vulnerable
user of a public way, the court shall:
(a) Impose a
sentence that requires the person to:
(A) Complete a
traffic safety course; and
(B) Perform
between 100 and 200 hours of community service, notwithstanding ORS 137.129.
The community service must include activities related to driver improvement and
providing public education on traffic safety;
(b) Order, but
suspend on the condition that the person complete the requirements of paragraph
(a) of this subsection:
(A) A fine of up
to $12,500, notwithstanding ORS 153.018; and
(B) A suspension
of driving privileges for one year as provided in ORS 809.280; and
(c) Set a hearing
date up to one year from the date of sentencing.
(4) At the
hearing described in subsection (3)(c) of this section, the court shall:
(a) If the person
has successfully completed the requirements described in subsection (3)(a) of
this section, dismiss the penalties ordered under subsection (3)(b) of this
section; or
(b) If the person
has not successfully completed the requirements described in subsection (3)(a)
of this section:
(A) Grant the
person an extension based on good cause shown; or
(B) Order the
penalties under subsection (3)(b) of this section.
(5) When a court
orders a suspension under subsection (4) of this section, the court shall
prepare and send to the Department of Transportation an order of suspension of
driving privileges of the person. Upon receipt of an order under this
subsection, the department shall take action as directed under ORS 809.280.
(6) The police
officer issuing the citation for an offense under this section shall note on
the citation if the cited offense appears to have contributed to the serious
physical injury or death of a vulnerable user of a public way. [1983 c.338 §570;
1995 c.383 §20; 2007 c.784 §3; 2011 c.355 §11; 2011 c.423 §1]