Pedestrians hit by cars are usually struck in the crosswalk, with the signal on their side.
This is grim news, as the most-cited advice for walkers is to use the marked crosswalks when crossing the street. Pedestrian deaths are already on the rise, and in Oregon, Portland in particular is having a problem with traffic fatalities this year.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation has identified several high-crash corridors, and is implementing a safety plan based on the “Three E’s”:
- Enforcement : Police stings enforcing pedestrian crossings – they’ve been proven to work for long after the cops leave.
- Engineering : National studies show 46% reduction in pedestrian crashes with the addition of pedestrian islands. The Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) crosswalk warning systems have been very effective at reducing crashes– but these are still relatively scarce.
- Education: The city is working on Safe Routes to School and Share the Road programs, particularly in Southeast Portland, which has gotten more attention recently for gruesome and deadly pedestrian collisions.
The Portland Police Bureau is conducting a highly visible traffic operation starting today, targeting drivers, cyclists and pedestrians who break the law.
About the Author
Tom D'Amore is the founder of D'Amore Law Group and a trial attorney with over 30 years of experience representing injured people and their families across the West Coast, securing more than $325 million in recoveries. He handles cases involving
car accidents,
trucking accidents,
construction injuries,
medical malpractice, and
sexual abuse. Licensed in Oregon, Washington, and California, Tom is the only NBTA board-certified truck accident attorney in Oregon. He is a national Board of Governors member, past Executive Committee member, and past Budget and Audit Chair of the American Association for Justice, as well as past President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and an Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice.
