2017 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 17 - Utilities, Vehicle Code, Watercraft, Aviation, Constitutions
Chapter 811 - Rules of the Road for Drivers
Section 811.507 - Operating motor vehicle while using mobile electronic device; exceptions; penalty.

(a)(A) "Driving" means operating a motor vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public, and while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device or other momentary delays.

(B) "Driving" does not include when the motor vehicle has stopped in a location where it can safely remain stationary and:

(i) Is pulled over on the side of, or is pulled off, a roadway;

(ii) Is in a designated parking space; or

(iii) Is required to park in the roadway to conduct necessary utility maintenance work.

(b) "Hands-free accessory" means an attachment or built-in feature for or an addition to a mobile electronic device that when used gives a person the ability to keep both hands on the steering wheel.

(c)(A) "Mobile electronic device" means an electronic device that is not permanently installed in a motor vehicle.

(B) "Mobile electronic device" includes but is not limited to a device capable of text messaging, voice communication, entertainment, navigation, accessing the Internet or producing electronic mail.

(d) "Using a mobile electronic device" includes but is not limited to using a mobile electronic device for text messaging, voice communication, entertainment, navigation, accessing the Internet or producing electronic mail.

(2) A person commits the offense of driving a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device if the person, while driving a motor vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public:

(a) Holds a mobile electronic device in the person’s hand; or

(b) Uses a mobile electronic device for any purpose.

(3) This section does not apply to a person:

(a) Who activates or deactivates a mobile electronic device or a function of the device;

(b) Who is employed as a commercial motor vehicle driver, or as a school bus driver, and is using a mobile electronic device within the scope of the person’s employment if the use is permitted under regulations promulgated pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 31136;

(c) Who is operating a two-way radio device that transmits radio communication transmitted by a station operating on an authorized frequency within the citizens’ or family radio service bands in accordance with rules of the Federal Communications Commission while transporting forest products, or while operating a vehicle to assist in logging operations, within the scope of the person’s employment;

(d) Who is using a two-way radio device while operating a school bus or school activity vehicle within the scope of the person’s employment; or

(e) Who is using a two-way radio device or operating a two-way radio device that transmits radio communication transmitted by a station operating on an authorized frequency within the citizens’ or family radio service bands in accordance with rules of the Federal Communications Commission while operating a vehicle owned or contracted by a utility for the purpose of installing, repairing, maintaining, operating or upgrading utility service, including but not limited to natural gas, electricity, water or telecommunications, within the scope of the person’s employment.

(4) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution of a person under this section that the person:

(a) Used the mobile electronic device to communicate if the person was summoning or providing medical or other emergency help if no other person in the vehicle was capable of summoning help;

(b) Was 18 years of age or older and was using a hands-free accessory;

(c) Was driving an ambulance or emergency vehicle while acting within the scope of the person’s employment;

(d) Was a police officer, firefighter or emergency medical services provider and was acting within the scope of the person’s employment;

(e) Was 18 years of age or older, held a valid amateur radio operator license issued or any other license issued by the Federal Communications Commission and was operating an amateur radio;

(f) Was operating a two-way radio device that transmits radio communication transmitted by a station operating on an authorized frequency within the citizens’ or family radio service bands in accordance with rules of the Federal Communications Commission to summon medical or other emergency help; or

(g) Was using a medical device.

(5) The offense described in this section, driving a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device, is:

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this subsection, for a person’s first conviction, a Class B traffic violation.

(b) For a person’s first conviction, if commission of the offense contributes to an accident described in ORS 811.720, a Class A traffic violation.

(c) For a person’s second conviction within a 10-year period following the date of the person’s first conviction, a Class A traffic violation.

(d) For a person’s third or subsequent conviction within a 10-year period preceding the date of the person’s current conviction, a Class B misdemeanor.

(6) In addition to any other sentence that may be imposed, the court shall impose a minimum fine of $2,000 on a person convicted of a Class B misdemeanor under subsection (5)(d) of this section.

(7) For purposes of this section, sentences for two or more convictions that are imposed in the same sentencing proceeding are considered to be one sentence.

(8)(a) For a person’s first conviction of driving a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device, the court may suspend the fine to be imposed under subsection (5)(a) of this section on the condition that the person, within 120 days of sentencing:

(A) Complete at the person’s own expense a distracted driving avoidance course approved by the Department of Transportation under ORS 811.508; and

(B) Provide proof of completion to the court.

(b) The court may schedule a hearing to determine whether the person successfully completed the distracted driving avoidance course.

(c) If the person has successfully completed the requirements described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the court shall enter a sentence of discharge.

(d) If the person has not successfully completed the requirements described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the court shall:

(A) Grant the person an extension based on good cause shown; or

(B) Impose the fine under subsection (5)(a) of this section.

(9) The department shall place signs on state highways to notify drivers that it is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle on the highways of this state while using a mobile electronic device and violators are subject to criminal penalties. [2007 c.870 §2; 2009 c.834 §1; 2011 c.530 §1; 2013 c.757 §1; 2017 c.629 §§1,2]

Note: 811.507 was added to and made a part of the Oregon Vehicle Code by legislative action but was not added to ORS chapter 811 or any series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.