Minimum Speed Limit (?)

[troutski]

After a heated debate with my spouse and son last night I thought I would get some more input on the subject: Is there a minimum speed limit in the state of Oregon, I don't feel comfortable driving 55 mph up Hwy. 58 pulling my boat so I drive what I feel is prudent for the conditions. When I get to a pull out I use it and let the other drivers pass. My point is just because the law says "Maximum Speed" do you have to. My wife and son believe I can be ticketed for impeding traffic, I am sure I can call the OSP and get their long winded answer but I would like your opinion (IFISHERS) I think between all of the ifisher out there traveling to and from there boat ramps they log more miles the average driver. I use Hwy 58 and Hwy 126 a lot and find them to be very taxing on the nerves, specially when the weather is poor. I know I am asking for it with this post, I think the is an important issue at least for me.

[The Croatian]

Go as slow as you feel comfortable and pull over whenever you have 5 cars held up behind you. Some states have this law, some don't but it is the right thing to do.

[wannacatchem]

The law is "Maximum speed" If you go slower, do not impede traffic, ie., using the pullouts as you already stated. However, if you're doing 25, you will probably get a ticket(if the is a police officer concerned enough) and I'll express my disatisfaction as I pass you

[cougfan]

I like what Montana's speed limit used to be "Reasonable and Prudent".

[goodkarma]

I thought 55 was the minimum......

[DF]

you can drive slower than the speed limit, but you must pull over when safe to let others pass....

[1bigfish]

I agree with go as slow as you need to in order to feel comfortable as long as you pull over when there are cars behind you.

I know that there are places that do have minimum speed limits. Not sure I have seen one in the northwest but they are common on the east coast for the freeways. If there are any around here they would be marked with signs just like the Max limit.

[MacFish]

I did a little research and it appears that about 10 states have some form of a minimum speed limit, but Oregon is not one of them. I was surprised to see that Oregon still has the basic rule, which allows you to drive according to conditions, so slower than the posted speed may be apprpriate in some cases when you feel it's unsafe to go faster. At some point, however, you have to think that going too slow (ie. 20 mph on I-5) would be considered reckless driving.

[1pump]

I drove Hwy 58 nearly every day for 2 years when I was driving tankers. From about MP52 to the top I could only do about 25-27 mph. When you're pulling 105,000 lbs on a 6-7% grade, there ain't much you can do about it. So that's 12 miles of hill with cars stacking up behind. All I could do was use the pullouts when they came up, and wave at the passing motorists when they flipped me off. I had a helluva lot more than 5 cars trailing me most times, including state cops, and I never received a citation.

IMHO, Hwy 58 is about the nicest highway through the Cascades, especially once they repaved it. I can make good time on it except for the stretch between Oakridge and the summit.