Portland Auto Accident Statistics
1. On average, there are about 10,000 to 12,000 reported crashes in Portland annually.
2. In 2022, there were 63 fatalities in traffic accidents in Portland, which is consistent with the number of deaths in 2021 and represents a significant increase compared to the past thirty years.
3. In 2022, the majority of traffic deaths occurred on Portland’s High Crash Network, which represents only 8% of the city’s streets.
4. In 2022, pedestrians accounted for 44% of traffic fatalities, exceeding the average of 38%.
5. The percentage of deaths from hit-and-run crashes increased from 22% in 2021 to 27% in 2022, resulting in seventeen fatalities.
6. Deaths from vehicles running off the road increased from an average of 20% in 2018-2021 to 24% in 2022.
7. Most Portland traffic deaths, 74%, and pedestrian deaths, 93%, happened at night.
8. In 2022, there were 28 pedestrian fatalities in traffic accidents on Portland roads, with approximately one-third of the victims being individuals experiencing homelessness.
9. Sergeant stated that there were eight motorcycle fatalities in Portland in 2020, nine in 2021, and eleven in 2022.
10. Factors like speed, darkness, and traffic are major causes of fatal traffic crashes in Portland.
On average, Portland reports between 10,000 and 12,000 car crashes per year.
Portland, Oregon, is home to more than 650,000 people and is a bustling city with plenty of car traffic. Unfortunately, this means that there are a lot of auto accidents each year as well. These accidents include car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents.
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), there were an average of 10,000 to 12,000 reported crashes in Portland annually between 2017 and 2019. [1]
The majority of these collisions occur at intersections and on major roadways, especially when the roads are wet or icy.
The number of fatalities in traffic accidents in Portland in 2022 remained consistent with the previous year and showed a significant increase compared to previous decades.
In 2022, the Portland metropolitan area saw an alarming increase in traffic-related fatalities compared to the previous years. According to data compiled by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), there were 63 traffic deaths in Portland in 2022. [2]
Although fatal car accidents are not uncommon, this sharp increase is concerning for the safety of Portland residents.
In 2022, the majority of traffic deaths, specifically 70%, occurred on Portland's High Crash Network, which represents only 8% of the city's streets.
Portland has a designated “High Crash Network” that comprises approximately 8% of all Portland-area streets and accounts for more than half of traffic deaths. This network includes major roads such as SE Powell Boulevard, SE Division Street, and NE 82nd Avenue. [3]
In 2022, the percentage of pedestrian traffic fatalities exceeded the average, reaching 44%.
Pedestrian deaths are an especially troubling statistic when it comes to auto accidents in Portland, Oregon. In 2022, pedestrians accounted for 44% of all traffic fatalities, which is an increase from the 38% average over the past three years. This indicates that there is still much work to be done to improve safety on roads in Portland for those who are not inside a vehicle. [2]
The percentage of deaths from hit-and-run crashes has seen an increase from 22% in 2021 to 27% in 2022, resulting in seventeen fatalities.
The recent stats from the Portland, Oregon, area regarding auto accidents are concerning. In 2021, 22% of all fatalities resulted from hit-and-run crashes, which jumped to 27% in 2022. This increase resulted in a total of seventeen deaths due to hit-and-run crashes within the Portland area over the course of the two years. [2]
These figures indicate that the number of hit-and-run crashes is increasing and that law enforcement should take more proactive measures to reduce these types of incidents.
The percentage of deaths from vehicles running off the road increased from an average of 20% from 2018-2021 to 24% in 2022.
The number of deaths resulting from vehicles running off the road in Portland, Oregon, has seen a noticeable increase. To be more specific, these fatalities have risen from an average of 20% between 2018 and 2021, to a concerning 24% in the year 2022.
While the exact causes behind this increase in deaths resulting from vehicles running off the road may vary, several potential factors could be contributing to this concerning trend.
Distracted driving, which includes texting, talking on the phone, or other activities taking a driver’s attention away from the road, has been a major concern in recent years. The rapid advancement of technology and the widespread use of smartphones may play a significant role in this issue. [3]
According to the report, a majority of total traffic deaths, 74%, occurred during darker conditions, specifically between dusk and dawn. Additionally, 93% of pedestrian deaths also occurred during those times.
According to a recent report from the City of Portland, Oregon, auto accident fatalities are most likely to occur during darker conditions such as dusk and dawn. The report states that 74% of all traffic deaths occurred in those conditions, with 93% of pedestrian deaths occurring during the same time frame. [4]
The rise in auto accident fatalities in Portland has prompted action from city officials. In response to the increasing number of pedestrian deaths, Mayor Ted Wheeler has launched the Vision Zero Action Plan.
The plan seeks to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2025 through improved public education, enforcement of traffic laws, engineering solutions, and increased investment in safety infrastructure.
In order to achieve this goal, the city must focus on enhancing safety measures during darker conditions as well as increasing public awareness of the dangers of impaired driving.
In 2022, there were 28 pedestrian fatalities in traffic accidents on Portland roads, with a proportion of the victims being individuals experiencing homelessness.
In 2022, Portland, Oregon, saw a tragic number of pedestrian fatalities on its roads. Out of 28 total deaths in traffic-related accidents, approximately one-third of the victims were people experiencing homelessness. This concerning stat is reflective of the disproportionate impact that auto accidents have on already vulnerable populations. [5]
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has been actively addressing the issue through policy and outreach. The bureau has worked closely with local homeless service providers to raise awareness of road safety, install warning signs in high-risk areas, and provide accessible street crossing options for pedestrians.
According to the sergeant, there were eight motorcycle fatalities in Portland in 2020, nine in 2021, and eleven in 2022.
In Portland, Oregon, the number of motorcycle fatalities has been steadily increasing over the past few years, according to Sgt. Ty Engstrom, a spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau, said eight motorcyclists lost their lives in 2020 due to auto accidents.
The situation worsened further in 2021 as nine motorcycle fatalities occurred in Portland that year. The most recent tally reported by Sgt. Engstrom showed that eleven motorcyclists died in 2022. [6]
The 2022 fatal crash report by PBOT shows that excessive speed, dark conditions, and traffic exposure continue to be major contributors to fatal traffic crashes in Portland.
In the report, it was noted that out of the 63 fatal traffic crashes that occurred in Portland during 2022, excessive speed was a factor in 30 of them, dark conditions were a factor in 25 of them, and traffic exposure was a factor in 15 of them. [7]
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident in Portland and are looking for one of the best Portland car accident attorneys, don’t hesitate to contact Goldberg & Loren at (971) 339-8080 or get a free consultation. Pay Nothing, Unless We Win!
Top 10 Portland Auto Accident Statistics Infographic
Sources:
[1] How Crash Data Works. (n.d.). Portland.gov. https://www.portland.gov/transportation/vision-zero/crash-data
[2] Vision Zero: Portland 2022 Deadly Traffic Crash Report. (2023, March 8). Portland.gov. https://www.portland.gov/transportation/vision-zero/documents/vision-zero-portland-2022-deadly-traffic-crash-report
[3] PORTLAND 2022 DEADLY TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT. (2023, February). Retrieved August 7, 2023, from https://www.portland.gov/transportation/vision-zero/documents/vision-zero-portland-2022-deadly-traffic-crash-report/download
[4] 63 people were killed in Portland traffic crashes in 2022, report says. (n.d.). Opb. https://www.opb.org/article/2023/03/13/portland-traffic-deaths-crash-2022-bureau-of-transportation/
[5] Portland sees 63 traffic deaths in 2022, matching 30-year record. (2023, March 15). Oregonlive. https://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/2023/03/portland-sees-63-traffic-deaths-in-2022-matching-30-year-record.html
[6] KATU Staff, F. L. (2023, June 29). Motorcycle fatalities on the rise in Portland, police say. KTVL. https://ktvl.com/newsletter-daily/motorcycle-fatalities-on-the-rise-in-portland-police-say
[7] Traffic Deaths in Portland Remain Record-High For a Second Year. (n.d.). Portland Mercury. https://www.portlandmercury.com/transportation/2023/03/13/46399773/traffic-deaths-in-portland-remain-record-high-for-a-second-year
