Pedestrian deaths drop in Oregon, but remain high
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There were fewer pedestrian deaths on Oregon roads in the first half of 2024 compared to the year before, mirroring a nationwide trend, but nearly 50% more than a decade ago, a new projection finds.
Why it matters: Cities worldwide are trying to reduce pedestrian deaths through "Vision Zero" programs, lower speed limits and "traffic calming" measures like speed bumps and roundabouts.
Driving the news: 3,304 pedestrians were killed on roads nationwide between January and June 2024, per a new Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) preliminary report.
- That's 88 fewer deaths than during the same period in 2023, but 1,072 more than during the same period in 2014.
- Oregon saw 43 pedestrian deaths in the first six months of 2024, 10 fewer than the same period for the previous year — a drop of nearly 19%.
Zoom in: Portland also saw fewer traffic deaths last year, according to a report released Thursday.
- 58 people were killed in traffic crashes in 2024, a 19% drop from the previous year and the lowest number since 2020.
- 22 pedestrians were killed on Portland streets, two fewer than in 2023.
- But almost half of all traffic deaths occurred in District 1, which encompasses much of East Portland.
What they're saying: Sarah Iannarone, executive director of The Street Trust, said the recent dip was likely due to more investments in things like pedestrian crossings, speed reduction and changes to road design, though she cautioned that it's too soon to "rest on our laurels."
- She noted that many of Portland's most dangerous roads are state-owned roads that cut through urban areas like SE Powell Boulevard and 82nd Avenue, before it was transferred to local control in 2022.
- "We'll need to see sustained reductions over the years before we can call it real progress," Iannarone told Axios.
The big picture: State and local transportation agencies are facing significant budget shortfalls and potential cuts as Portland works to balance its budget and legislators contemplate a massive transportation package.
- Millicent Williams, director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation, said road safety doesn't come cheap.
- "When PBOT has funding to make our streets safer, we see results," she said in a written statement.