Oregon Auto Accident Statistics
1. In 2020, there were 292 deaths from fatal crashes on state highways, marking an 8.55% increase from the 2019 total of 269 deaths.
2. The majority of fatal car accidents occurred in rural highway areas (57.5%), while urban highway areas accounted for 33.3% of incidents.
3. In 2020, U.S. Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast recorded the highest number of fatal crashes (28) and total fatalities (30) compared to other roads in the region.
4. In Portland, there are several roads with high accident rates, including 122nd Avenue, which has had three fatalities and 546 injuries, and Powell Boulevard, which has had two deaths and 548 injuries.
5. In Lane County, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation, 57 people lost their lives, and over 3,000 individuals were injured.
6. Oregon’s Highway 97 had 77 fatal crashes over five years (2016-2020), with 25 occurring in 2020, making it the second deadliest road in the state.
7. In 2017, rain accounted for 69 percent of weather-related fatal crashes in Oregon, while snow was responsible for only 16 percent.
8. According to Oregon State Police, there were 915 traffic accidents reported from Dec. 23 to Dec. 28 of 2021. In the same period in 2020, there were 365 accidents, compared to 237 in 2019.
9. Fatal crashes on Oregon state highways increased by 19.47% in 2021.
10. During the year 2020, there were a total of 17,763 crashes reported on state highways in Oregon, out of which 13,925 resulted in injuries or fatalities.
During 2020, fatal accidents on Oregon highways led to 292 fatalities, signifying an 8.55% rise from the previous year's toll of 269 deaths in 2019.
The year 2020 was difficult for drivers in Oregon, as there were 292 fatalities caused by crashes on the state highway system. This marked an 8.55% increase from 2019, when 269 fatalities were reported. Even more alarming is that this number has increased by over 25% compared to 2018, when only 233 fatalities were reported. [1]
The majority of these fatal crashes involved motor vehicles – including cars, trucks, and motorcycles – and a significant proportion of fatalities were pedestrians and bicyclists.
Most fatal car accidents occurred in rural highway areas (61.9%), with urban highway areas accounting for 38.1% of incidents.
In Oregon, a majority of fatal car accidents occur on rural highways. According to data from the Oregon Department of Transportation, 61.9% of all fatal auto accidents in the state occurred in rural highway areas.
In comparison, only 38.1% of such incidents happened in urban highway areas. Notably, there was an increase in rural area fatalities from 159 in 2019 to 179 in 2020. Conversely, urban area fatalities slightly decreased from 102 in 2019 to 110 in 2020. [1]
The most common cause for these fatal accidents is driver behavior, including impaired driving and speeding.
In 2020, U.S. Highway 101 on the Oregon Coast experienced the highest number of fatal crashes (28) and total fatalities (30) in comparison to other roads in the region.
In 2020, the Oregon Coast saw a spike in fatal crashes along U.S. Highway 101. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) reported 28 fatal crashes and 30 fatalities on the highway. This is significantly higher than any other road in the region and one of the highest amounts ever recorded for this stretch of highway. [2]
This is an alarming statistic that highlights the importance of safe driving practices on this stretch of road. There are numerous ways drivers can stay safe while driving on U.S. Highway 101, including avoiding distractions, obeying posted speed limits, and driving defensively.
Seven individuals lost their lives, and numerous others were injured in a collision involving multiple vehicles on Thursday on Interstate 5 in a rural area of western Oregon. [3]
In Portland, some of the most perilous roads include 122nd Avenue, which witnessed three fatalities and 546 injuries, and Powell Boulevard, with two deaths and 548 injuries.
The city of Portland, Oregon, is home to some of the most perilous roads in the state. According to Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) data, 122nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard were two of Portland’s worst roads for auto accidents in 2019.
In 2019, 122nd Avenue witnessed three fatalities and 546 injuries, while Powell Boulevard had two deaths and 548 injuries. These numbers are indicative of the danger posed by Portland roads to motorists in the city. The majority of these crashes occurred between the hours of 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., highlighting the importance of safe driving practices in Portland at night. [4]
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, 57 people lost their lives, and over 3,000 individuals were injured in Lane County.
Recent data from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) shows that auto accidents remain a serious issue in Lane County and across the state. In 2016, 57 people tragically lost their lives in vehicle crashes on Oregon roadways. Additionally, over 3,000 individuals were injured in these collisions. [5]
Lane County has recorded the highest number of traffic fatalities in Oregon.
Over five years, Oregon's Hwy 97 had 77 fatal crashes (2016-2020), including 25 in 2020, making it the state's second deadliest road.
In Oregon, Highway 97 is the second deadliest road in the state. Over the past five years, this highway has seen a total of 77 fatal crashes, with 25 occurring in 2020 alone. This number is far too high and further underscores the need for greater safety measures to be taken along this stretch of highway. [6]
In Oregon in 2017, rain was responsible for 69 percent of weather-related fatal crashes, while snow caused only 16 percent.
In 2017, Oregon saw an alarming increase in weather-related fatal auto accidents. According to statistics from the Oregon Department of Transportation, the majority of these fatalities were caused by rain. Specifically, 69 percent of weather-related fatal crashes could be attributed to rain, while snow was only responsible for 16 percent of these collisions. [7]
Oregon ranked fifth on our list, with an average of 28 fatal crashes per 1 million drivers in 2017. Similar to other states on our list, rainfall was the primary cause of fatal crashes in Oregon.
Some areas of Oregon experience rainy weather, especially in places like Portland, where residents can expect wet and icy roads throughout the year.
Oregon State Police reported 915 traffic accidents from Dec. 23 to Dec. 28 of 2021. During the same period in 2020, there were 365 accidents and 237 in 2019.
The Oregon State Police recently released their statistics on traffic accidents that occurred between December 23rd and December 30th of 2021. During this time period, there were a total of 915 reported accidents, which was an increase from the 365 accidents that occurred during the same time period in 2020 and 237 in 2019. [8]
While it is difficult to determine exactly why the number of reported auto accidents has increased so dramatically, during the winter season, the combination of inclement weather and heightened traffic conditions in Oregon leads to numerous accidents.
The number of fatal crashes on Oregon state highways spike by 19.47% in 2021.
Recent data from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has revealed that the number of fatal crashes on Oregon state highways has spiked by 19.47% in 2021 compared to 2020. This spike is concerning for safety advocates and law enforcement officials, as it signals a worrying trend in auto accident fatalities across Oregon.
According to the data, there were 313 fatal crashes on the state highway system during 2021, including crashes on highway ramps, connections, and frontage roads. There has been a 19.47% increase in fatal crashes, with 262 reported in 2020. There were 345 fatalities due to fatal crashes on the state highway system in 2021. The number of fatalities reported for this year has increased by 18.15% compared to 2020. [9]
In 2020, there were a total of 17,763 crashes on state highways in Oregon, with 13,925 resulting in injury or death.
The statistics for auto accidents in Oregon are not limited to fatalities only. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, there were a total of 17,763 crashes on state highways in 2020, with 13,925 resulting in injury or death. [1], [10]
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident & need an experienced auto accident lawyer, contact Goldberg & Loren’s experienced Oregon personal injury attorneys by calling 1-888-522-0335 or by filling out the form for a free consultation. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries.
Sources
[1] 2020 OREGON STATE HIGHWAY CRASH RATE TABLES . (n.d.). Oregon Department Transportation . Retrieved May 2022, from https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Data/Documents/Crash_Rate_Tables_2020.pdf
[2] S., & McGee, K. (2023, March 22). These are the highways in Oregon with the most fatalities: Hwy. 101 tops list, followed by Hwy. 97, I-5. – KTVZ. KTVZ. https://ktvz.com/stacker-oregon/2023/03/22/these-are-the-highways-in-oregon-with-the-most-fatalities/
[3] Seven dead in Oregon highway crash. (2023, May 19). NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/seven-people-killed-others-hurt-multi-vehicle-crash-oregon-rcna85235
[4] Roads, S. (2023, June 5). Portland Road Safety Overview. Safe Roads USA. https://www.makeroadssafe.org/portland-road-safety-overview/
[5] K. (2017, June 22). Lane County records highest number of traffic fatalities in Oregon. KVAL. https://kval.com/amp/news/local/lane-county-records-highest-number-of-traffic-fatalities-in-oregon
[6] Fatal crashes spiking across Oregon: Highway 97 now one of Oregon’s deadliest roadways. (n.d.). https://www.kdrv.com/. Retrieved July 21, 2022, from https://www.kdrv.com/news/top-stories/fatal-crashes-spiking-across-oregon-highway-97-now-one-of-oregons-deadliest-roadways/article_8472d5a0-0940-11ed-856c-f701ed007418.html
[7] Bodine, R., & Bodine, R. (2022, April 27). 10 States With The Worst Weather-Related Fatal Crashes. AutoinsuranceEZ.com |. https://www.autoinsuranceez.com/worst-states-for-weather-related-fatal-crashes/
[8] Stites, S. (2021, December 28). Winter weather and increasing traffic leads to hundreds of accidents on Oregon roads. Opb. https://www.opb.org/article/2021/12/28/winter-weather-oregon-prepandemic-traffic-levels-surge-accidents/
[9] Oregon Department of Transportation . (n.d.). oregon.gov. Retrieved August 2023, from https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Data/Documents/Crash_Rate_Tables_2021.pdf
[10] 2020 OREGON TRAFFIC CRASH SUMMARY . (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2022, from https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Data/Documents/Crash_Summary_2020.pdf
