According to a new report, fatal and serious injury crashes are a significant problem in East Multnomah County. The report outlines an action plan with the stated goal of reducing fatal and serious accidents to zero within 10 years. Steps designed to reduce or eliminate serious and fatal accidents should be applauded because, as the report stated, “one traffic death is too many.” For now, though, these crashes remain a very real problem, and if you have been harmed by one, you should talk to a knowledgeable Oregon auto accident lawyer about your situation.
As noted above, the problem in East Multnomah County is worsening. In 2013-2020, east Multnomah County logged 396 serious or fatal crashes, averaging 49.5 per year. In 2021, there were 75. In 2022, that number was 116.
The committee’s plan would target improvements in locations like Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, and Wood Village. The committee behind the report identified 10 traffic corridors, which it labeled “priority safety corridors,” and targeted specific proposed steps for those areas. These 10 included important thoroughfares like Stark Street, Halsey Street, Burnside Street, 181st Avenue, 182nd Avenue, and 223rd Avenue.
Other safety proposals, however, were systemwide rather than targeted toward specific corridors. These included steps such as reducing speed limits, installing “speed feedback signs and dynamic displays,” speed safety camera enforcement, and “constructed medians and lane narrowing.”
Some systemwide changes were proposed with pedestrian safety in mind. These included: “enhanced pedestrian crossings, curb extensions to shorten crossing distances, pedestrian scale lighting,” and raised crosswalks. For the benefit of bicyclists, the report proposed: “separated or protected bike lanes, bicycle conflict striping at intersections and driveways, floating bus stops to reduce bus-bike conflicts,” and “roadway surface improvements and ADA-compliant ramps.”
Noting the limited nature of transportation funding, the committee suggested prioritizing “quick-build approaches,” which are “low-cost, rapidly deployable roadway treatments that can reduce vehicle speeds and separate vehicles from people walking and biking.” For arterial and collector roads, the committee proposed steps such as painted curb extensions “to narrow intersections and slow turning movements,” modular medians “to reduce crossing distances and calm traffic,” chicanes “to slow vehicle travel speeds along straight corridors,” high-visibility crosswalks, and floating bus stops, among others.
Portland has begun its own set of steps to reduce serious and fatal traffic accidents. The city initially committed to eliminating serious or fatal crashes in 2016 and published a plan to reduce them in the fall of 2023. In 2024, the city logged 58 total traffic deaths, which was down 11 (16%) from 2023. 2023’s 69 fatalities were an all-time high, however, and 2024’s 58 were still higher than Portland’s pre-pandemic numbers.
All drivers can help reduce fatal and serious auto accidents. This includes steps such as obeying all posted speed limits, being mindful of crosswalks (including unmarked crosswalks), keeping a keen eye out for bicyclists and pedestrians, obeying traffic signals, and exercising caution when executing turns.
For now, though, serious and fatal accidents remain a fact of life in our area. Those harmed by such an accident likely have endured extensive injuries — injuries that demand accountability from all those whose negligence caused the crash. This can include a variety of steps, including insurance claims and civil litigation. As you navigate these processes, count on the knowledgeable Oregon auto accident attorneys at Kaplan Law LLC to be the reliable and effective advocate you need to obtain a just outcome. To learn more about our services, call (503) 226-3844 today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.