You're driving in a narrow residential alley with no posted speed limit. What speed limit applies?
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A.
55 mph
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B.
15 mph Correct
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C.
20 mph
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D.
25 mph
The answer is "15 mph"
Oregon's statutory speed limits apply whether posted or not. The 15 mph limit covers driving in alleys and narrow residential areas, distinct from the 25 mph default for standard residential districts. That lower figure reflects the limited sight lines alleys often have and the closeness of pedestrians to traffic on narrow streets. Reading an alley as a standard residential district is what pulls a driver to D, applying the 25 mph figure in place of the alley limit.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. 55 mph
The 55 mph statutory default applies on roads and highways that do not meet any other definition unless otherwise posted; alleys have their own 15 mph limit set in law. This answer treats an unposted alley as falling under Oregon's 55 mph catch-all default for roads not meeting any other definition, ignoring the 15 mph limit set specifically for alleys.
C. 20 mph
The 20 mph statutory limit applies in any business district and within a school speed zone, not in alleys. This answer confuses the 20 mph business-district and school-speed-zone limit with the alley default.
D. 25 mph
The 25 mph default applies in residential districts, public parks, and on ocean shores; alleys and narrow residential areas drop to 15 mph. This answer treats an alley as a standard residential district, applying the 25 mph default instead of the 15 mph alley limit.
This question tests your knowledge of Speed Limits in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Speed Regulations / Speed Limits," p.19..
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