Portland's Dangerous Intersections
Navigating through the streets of Portland, Oregon, one quickly learns that some busy intersections carry a reputation for being particularly dangerous. Whether you’re a seasoned local or a visitor exploring the city’s active neighborhood, knowing where these dangerous street intersections lie can be necessary to stay safe on the road.
From heavy traffic congestion to complex road layouts, various factors contribute to the risk levels at these junctions. We’ll delve into some of the most dangerous intersections in Portland, shedding light on the challenges they pose and offering insights to help travelers navigate them with caution and confidence.
In 2021, 60% of traffic deaths occurred on Portland’s High Crash Network, the 8% of Portland streets that account for most deadly crashes. [1]
In 2021, pedestrian accidents made up 43% of traffic deaths, which was slightly above the average of 38% for 2017-2020. [1]
In 2021, Portland reported 59 fatal car accidents, 3380 nonfatal injury crashes, and 2,991 accidents causing property damage. The data shows that 55% of crashes in Portland resulted in injuries or fatalities to at least one person. [2]
Statistics on Intersection Fatalities in Portland Over 5 Years
Each of these intersections was monitored for five consecutive years, from 2017 to 2021. These have been found to be the 15 most dangerous intersections in Portland. [3]
| Rank | Intersection | Deaths | Serious Injuries | Moderate Injuries | Minor Injuries | Total Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SE Division St and SE 122nd Ave | 1 | 1 | 6 | 80 | 104 |
| 2 | SE Stark St and South East 122nd Avenue | 3 | 6 | 16 | 76 | 99 |
| 3 | SE Powell Blvd and SE 82nd Ave *SE Powell Blvd and SE 82nd Avenue | 0 | 1 | 19 | 85 | 102 |
| 4 | SE Powell Blvd and SE 148th Ave * | 2 | 2 | 6 | 38 | 52 |
| 5 | NE Halsey St and NE 122nd Ave | 1 | 0 | 9 | 38 | 68 |
| 6 | SE Stark St and SE 148th Ave | 1 | 1 | 10 | 49 | 57 |
| 7 | NE Glisan St and NE 82nd Ave | 0 | 7 | 12 | 47 | 69 |
| 8 | NE Glisan St and NE 122nd Ave | 0 | 4 | 8 | 68 | 87 |
| 9 | SE Division St and SE 112th Ave | 2 | 1 | 3 | 52 | 53 |
| 10 | SE Holgate Blvd and SE 92nd Ave | 1 | 1 | 6 | 27 | 39 |
| 11 | SE Powell Blvd and SE 174th Ave * | 0 | 1 | 5 | 53 | 71 |
| 12 | SE Powell Blvd and SE 136th Ave * | 0 | 1 | 8 | 41 | 67 |
| 13 | NE Broadway and NE Grand Ave | 1 | 0 | 3 | 19 | 45 |
| 14 | SE Powell Blvd and SE 122nd Ave* | 0 | 1 | 9 | 58 | 71 |
| 15 | N Vancouver Ave and N Weidler St | 1 | 2 | 7 | 16 | 41 |
What Causes the Most Collisions at These Intersections in Portland?
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has identified the most common causes of auto accidents.
Here are the top 10 common driver errors: [4]
- Failure to avoid stopped or parked vehicles ahead
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Lost control and veered off road
- Driving too fast for conditions (not exceeding posted speed)
- Inattention
- Failure to maintain lane
- Left turn in front of oncoming traffic
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Following too closely
- Failure to negotiate a curve
Types of Traffic Accidents Occurring at Intersections in Portland
An analysis of vehicle accidents in Portland revealed that approximately 62% of traffic deaths from 2018 to 2022 occurred at intersections, with many involving angle or side-impact collisions. These collisions are more likely to result in fatalities or serious injuries. [5]
The 30 streets and intersections with the most serious crashes — represents 8% of Portland streets, yet it accounted for 62% of traffic deaths from 2018 to 2022.
Some other common types of car accidents at these intersections include:
- U-turn accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Left turn accidents
- T-Bone Accidents
If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident on one of Portland’s most dangerous intersections, you may need a experienced auto accident attorney.
Call Goldberg & Loren today at 971-366-2792 for a free consultation.
Sources:
[1] Vision Zero Traffic Crash Report 2021. (n.d.). Retrieved 2022, from https://www.portland.gov/sites/default/files/2022/traffic-crash-report-2021.pdf
[2] 2021 Oregon Traffic Crash Summary . (n.d.). Oregon Department Transportation . Retrieved June 2023, from https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Data/Documents/Crash_Summary_2021.pdf
[3] High Crash Network streets and intersections. (2024, April 11). Portland.gov. https://www.portland.gov/transportation/vision-zero/high-crash-network-streets-and-intersections
[4] 2020 Oregon Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes Quick Facts. (n.d.). https://www.oregon.gov/. Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Data/Documents/QuickFacts_2020.pdf
