What is a Careless Driving Violation in Oregon?
Careless driving violation in Oregon is a Class A or B traffic violation. The penalties you receive will depend on the severity of the situation.
Written by Rebecca Wardell
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
In
Oregon
, a careless driving traffic violation may be issued if a person is driving in a way that endangers or is likely to endanger property or another person. Unlike reckless driving
, it doesn’t require proof that the driver was aware of the riskiness of their behavior.Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhat is considered careless driving in Oregon?
Not all states have careless driving statutes that designate it as a chargeable offense, but Oregon, Louisiana, and Minnesota are three that do.
In Oregon, careless driving is defined as driving in a manner that endangers or would be likely to endanger any person or property. Behavior that might land you a careless driving charge may include tailgating, failure to use your turn signal, improper passing, failure to check your mirrors, and more.
Careless driving vs. reckless driving in Oregon
The biggest difference between careless and reckless driving in Oregon is the level of severity. Careless driving is a Class A or Class B traffic violation (the determining criteria is if you cause an accident), while reckless driving is a criminal offense.
The same behavior that lands you a careless driving violation can result in a reckless driving charge, the determining factor being driver awareness. A careless driving offense can be committed without the driver’s awareness of the danger they’re causing, while a reckless driving charge requires proof that the driver knew their driving behavior was dangerous.
Careless driving vs. DUI in Oregon
A
DUI in Oregon
or driving while under the influence of intoxicants is similar to reckless driving in that it is a criminal offense. Whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony depends on the damage caused and how many prior convictions the driver has.Penalties for careless driving in Oregon
The penalty for a careless driving offense is dependent on the damage caused.
- Careless driving: You can be charged with a Class B traffic violation resulting in a fine ranging from $130 to $1000.
- Careless driving involving an accident: You can be charged with a Class A traffic violation resulting in a fine ranging from $220 to $2000.
- Careless driving involving death or injury: You can still be charged with a Class A traffic violation, but the penalties may include completion of a required traffic safety course, between 100 and 200 hours of community service, a fine of up to $12,500, and/ordriver’s license suspensionfor one year.
Oregon doesn’t use a point system for driver’s licenses, but most traffic violations and accident entries stay on your
Oregon driving record
for five years. Serious charges (like reckless driving or a DUI) can remain on your record permanently and cause your car insurance
rates to skyrocket. Can you lose your license for careless driving in Oregon?
If you are found guilty of careless driving involving death or injury, you can have your license suspended for a year. If you continue to drive before you get your
suspended license reinstated
, you risk more serious consequences like criminal charges, heftier fines, and jail time.“I have a really bad record, so all of my previous insurance quotes were pretty high. I started usingJerryand the fantastic app saved me $130 a month on my insurance.” —Jett A.
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FAQs
How long does careless driving stay on your record in Oregon?
If you don’t contest your careless driving violation in court or you are found guilty, careless driving, like most traffic violations and accident entries, stays on your driving record for five years. A change in your driving record is likely to negatively impact your insurance premium.
Is careless driving a misdemeanor in Oregon?
No. Careless driving in Oregon is not a criminal offense. Careless driving will get you a Class A or Class B traffic violation depending on the severity of damage caused by your careless driving.
Reckless driving and DUIs are both more serious than careless driving offenses and are considered criminal offenses. It’s a good idea to seek legal advice if you have been charged with reckless driving or a DUI.
How much is a reckless driving charge in Oregon?
The fine you are charged for a careless driving violation depends on the severity of the situation. If you are just carelessly driving, the fine can range from $130 to $1000. If you are carelessly driving and are involved in an accident, the fine can range from $220 to $2000.
Finally, if you are carelessly driving and cause injury or death, you can face a fine of up to $12,500 plus additional penalties.
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