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Oregon Revised Statutes

Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.485 (2026)

Following too closely; penalty

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      811.485 Following too closely; penalty. (1) A person commits the offense of following too closely if the person does any of the following:

      (a) Drives a motor vehicle so as to follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon, and condition of, the highway.

      (b) Drives a truck, commercial bus or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district or upon a freeway within the corporate limits of a city and follows another truck, commercial bus or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle without, when conditions permit, leaving sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger. This paragraph does not prevent a truck, commercial bus or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and passing a vehicle or combination of vehicles.

      (c) Drives a motor vehicle when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district or upon a freeway within the corporate limits of a city in a caravan or motorcade whether or not towing another vehicle without operating the vehicle so as to leave sufficient space between vehicles to enable a vehicle to enter and occupy the space without danger.

      (2) This section does not apply in the case of a funeral procession. Except for the funeral lead vehicle, vehicles participating in a funeral procession shall follow the preceding vehicle as closely as is reasonable and safe.

      (3)(a) This section does not apply to a person operating a vehicle that is part of a connected automated braking system.

      (b) As used in this subsection, “connected automated braking system” means a system that uses vehicle-to-vehicle communication to electronically coordinate the braking of a lead vehicle with the braking of one or more following vehicles.

      (4) The offense described in this section, following too closely, is a Class B traffic violation. [1983 c.338 §654; 1991 c.482 §20; 2007 c.794 §5; 2018 c.93 §40]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2020–2022 · leading case: Scott v. Kesselring, 513 P.3d 581 (Or. 2022).
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Scott v. Kesselring, 513 P.3d 581 (Or. 2022). “In following traffic at a distance that was too close in violation of ORS 811.485.” As a result of her negligence, defendant caused plaintiff physical injuries as well as severe emotional distress, including pain, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.”
State v. Guynn, 459 P.3d 900 (Or. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 6× “For that conduct, she was found guilty of “following too closely” in violation of ORS 811.485 (1)(a). On appeal, defendant contends that, when that stat- ute is properly construed, the evidence is not sufficient to show that her conduct violated it.”
Or. Rev. Stat. § 811.485(1)(a): 1 case
State v. Guynn, 459 P.3d 900 (Or. Ct. App. 2020). “For that conduct, she was found guilty of “following too closely” in violation of ORS 811.485 (1)(a). On appeal, defendant contends that, when that stat- ute is properly construed, the evidence is not sufficient to show that her conduct violated it.”
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