North Powder, Oregon Speed Traps

There are two overpasses along I 84 just west of North Powder that, almost without fail, have an Oregon State Trooper parked on them – so much so that nearly every time I pass through there they are chasing, ticketing, or have pulled someone over. Such is their presence, there may even be an outhouse parked there for the trooper’s convenience. Westbound, it’s flat and smooth leading up the hills, the overpasses and associated exits seem to be there to service the occasional tractor, and a lot of drivers will just accelerate to get over the hills; the trouble is that the troopers usually park on the on the slope of the onramp and it’s nearly impossible to see them on approach until the warp drive has already been engaged.

Eastbound on that same stretch is tricky; the troopers will be perched on the nearest overpass, which affords a very, very clear view of the vehicles coming down. **There’s one last sharp, downhill turn on this section of I 84 and it is so tempting to speed** Think of fish in a barrel. Do yourself a huge favor, let the SUV that’s been tailing you for miles pass, and go 65 in this area. It’s the worst speed trap I’m seen in Oregon, and almost without fail, there’s a trooper parked here. I’ve seen them chasing an Audi at 6 am on a sunny Monday to grandma’s Buick on a Thursday afternoon in pounding rain. And just as a reminder, even if you don’t see a vehicle on or near the overpass doesn’t mean they’re not hiding on the onramps, which are long and make for a very smooth, rapid acceleration with lights flashing – a visual you don’t want to see in your rearview mirror.