NEWBERG, Ore. — Slowing down can save drivers from costly damage to vehicles and roadways — not to mention save lives — according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
Get These Stories First, Right in your Inbox
We send out a FREE weekly newsletter featuring the previous week’s biggest stories, upcoming events, and other local happenings. Our email newsletter is the first to know!
A reader recently wrote in to Newsberg asking what happens when drivers exceed posted speed limits. Newsberg contacted ODOT to learn more about why speed limits matter, their impact on pedestrians, and how stopping distances change when drivers are speeding.
Mindy McCartt, a public information officer for ODOT’s western Washington and Yamhill counties region, said reducing speed is one of the most effective ways to improve safety.
“Slowing down is one of the most effective ways to reduce crashes and save lives,” McCartt said. “Arriving a few minutes later is always better than the alternative.”
According to ODOT, 2024 saw 11 speed-related crashes in Newberg, resulting in one fatality, 10 injured people, and four instances of property damage. Eight of those were during the day, and five were at intersections. That’s up from eight total speed-related crashes in Newberg in 2023, and 7 in 2022. However, 2021 saw 12 speed-related crashes in Newberg, and 2022 saw 16, according to ODOT.
McCartt said speed limits help create predictable and consistent travel speeds, allowing people to safely share the road whether they are driving, walking, or cycling.
“In neighborhoods and busy urban areas, lower limits give drivers more time to react and avoid crashes,” she said. “These areas often have more unexpected roadway conflicts — such as vehicles entering from driveways, people crossing midblock, cyclists, pets, children playing, or cars turning from side streets — which means drivers need extra reaction time. Lower speeds are especially important for protecting vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists.”
Speeding remains a major factor in both the frequency and severity of crashes, McCartt said. In 2023, speeding killed 11,775 people nationwide and has been a contributing factor in roughly one out of three U.S. traffic fatalities for more than 20 years.
That same year, Oregon recorded 6,276 speed-related crashes and 205 fatalities linked to speed. Pedestrians accounted for 31% of motor vehicle crash fatalities in Oregon, while cyclists made up 6%.
“Speed directly affects the likelihood of being involved in a crash and how severe that crash will be,” McCartt said. “At higher speeds, drivers have less time to react and need more distance to stop. The force involved in a crash increases rapidly as speed rises, leading to more serious injuries or fatalities.”
Speeding also includes driving too fast for conditions, such as during poor weather, low visibility, or in work zones, she said. Even when a driver is traveling within the posted limit, these conditions can reduce stopping distances and increase the likelihood of losing control.
Oregon uses two types of speed limits: statutory and designated. Statutory limits are set by state law — such as 25 mph in residential districts — while designated speed limits are established following an engineering study.
“When engineers study a road, they examine roadway design, curves and hills, crash patterns, surrounding land uses, how people travel through the area, and how fast vehicles are already moving,” McCartt said. “Cities and certain counties may also set their own speed limits if they follow the same engineering requirements.”
ODOT follows a structured process outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule 734-020-0015, with additional guidance from the Oregon Speed Zone Manual. The process includes coordination with local jurisdictions and, when necessary, review by the Speed Zone Review Panel. Cities and counties may also receive delegated authority to set speed limits on roads under their jurisdiction, provided they meet the criteria outlined in state rules, McCartt said.
Beyond safety concerns for drivers and pedestrians, speeding can also contribute to damage on bridges.
“Speed itself does not significantly contribute to structural wear, but it does increase the risk of drivers losing control,” McCartt said. “Many Oregon bridges were built when vehicles were lighter and smaller, and older bridge rails were designed to the standards of their time. Today’s vehicles are heavier, and when they strike bridge rails at high speeds, the forces can exceed what older rails were built to handle.”
McCartt said ODOT often upgrades bridge rails during preservation or safety projects to account for those changes.
To help keep communities safer, she encouraged drivers to commit to slower speeds, especially in school zones, work zones, neighborhoods, and during poor weather.
“Community members can support enforcement and traffic-calming efforts,” McCartt said. “Education, engineering, and enforcement together help address excessive speeds and improve safety for everyone.”
Learn more in the ODOT Slowing Down safety brochure.
