Cities in the Pacific Northwest take pride in their accessibility to cyclists and pedestrians. Designated bike lanes and walking paths offer plenty of opportunities for people to explore Portland. However, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has identified intersections where pedestrians are at the greatest risk of suffering injuries or death. Let’s look at what the data shows about pedestrian safety throughout the Portland area and what steps pedestrians and drivers can take to minimize the risk of a traffic accident.
How PBOT Identified the Riskiest Intersections in Portland
The Portland Bureau of Transportation used its database, which included crash data from the Oregon Department of Transportation, to identify the intersections throughout the city where the highest number of pedestrian fatalities and injuries occurred. The data spans from 2015 through 2019. Once the bureau compiled the top 100 riskiest intersections, it ranked the danger of each intersection based on three criteria: (1) The number of deadly and injury crashes; (2) the collision rate; and (3) the severity of crashes.
Intersections to Exercise Particular Caution as a Pedestrian
According to PBOT, the most dangerous intersection in the Portland area for pedestrians is where West Burnside Street meets SW 3rd Avenue. Between 2015 and 2019, 12 pedestrian-involved crashes occurred—four of which resulted in serious injuries. The intersection of NE Glisan Street and 122nd Avenue experienced 16 pedestrian-related crashes during this same period. Some streets appear in the top 20 rankings multiple times, such as SE Powell Boulevard and SE Division Street. The high traffic volume along these streets contributes to the increased frequency of pedestrian accidents.
Reducing the Risk of Pedestrian Accidents in Portland
Pedestrians and drivers alike should take steps to minimize the risk of a traffic accident. Pedestrians should cross busy streets using designated crosswalks and obey traffic signals to stay safe. Drivers need to slow for pedestrian crossings and watch for pedestrians along their route. Should an accident occur, contact a trusted and compassionate personal injury attorney to discuss your options for pursuing compensation to help you cover the costs stemming from your injuries.
If you need help collecting compensation following an auto accident injury in Portland or Vancouver, call the compassionate legal team at Henderson Taylor Law Firm today at (360) 737-1478.
