In most cases, speeding is not necessarily on purpose, but rather a poor habit. Violators are often local residents who live in the neighborhood and are unaware they are speeding.

To remind drivers of their travel speeds as well the speed limit, the Public Works Department places portable radar signs at select locations for four to six weeks. The units provide real-time display of the speed a car is travelling.

To see if your street qualifies for this tool, please contact us.

The Hillsboro Police Department enforces traffic and parking laws, investigates crashes, responds to traffic related matters and provides community education to neighborhood groups, schools, and businesses.

Visit our Traffic Safety and Parking webpage to learn about how our Police Department utilizes special enforcement techniques to enforce speed limits, prevent distracted driving, enhance pedestrian safety, and uphold seatbelt laws.

When education and enforcement are not effective, our Public Works engineers may consider changes to roadway features, such as: 

• Increased signage
• Medians
• Curb extensions at intersections
• Landscaping
• Lane narrowing

When considering engineering solutions, the City Engineer evaluates the following criteria: 

• Traffic volume
• Roadway characteristics
• Traffic speeds
• Pedestrian volumes
• Crash history
• Solution effectiveness  
• Available budget

When used properly, education, enforcement, and engineering can address traffic concerns and improve livability for all.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is the only agency that can legally establish speed zones on roadways within Oregon. For roadways within city limits, ODOT completes a speed zone investigation when requested by the local road authority, such as the City. Visit the ODOT website for more information on how the agency establishes speed zones.  

The City cannot establish a new speed zone. However, the City can ask ODOT to assess a speed limit. When ODOT receives these requests, they complete a speed zone investigation and provide the results to the City.

Upon review of ODOT’s recommendations, the City will either:

• Agree with the results, receive official documents, and posts the new speed limit
• Disagree with the results and request the case to be sent to the Speed Zone Review Panel for a final decision

The City of Hillsboro follows federal and state rules and standards when deciding whether to install a stop sign.

The Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the authority on all signs installed along roadways, requires the intersection meet one or more of the following conditions:  

• Intersection of a less important road with a main road where the normal right-of-way rules do not provide reasonable compliance with the law
• A street enters a through highway or street
• Unsignalized intersection in a signalized area
• High traffic (vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycle) speeds and volumes
• Restricted view
• Crash history indicates the need for a stop sign

When the City receives a stop sign request, staff study the location to determine if it meets the conditions.

Often, improving visibility can solve safety concerns and eliminate the need for a stop sign. Unwarranted stop signs can: 

• Result in increased crashes
• Increase noise and pollution levels due to frequent stopping and starting
• Decrease likelihood of drivers stopping at low-conflict intersections
• Create a false sense of security for drivers and pedestrians