NEWS ADVISORY: Give Portland’s little ghosts and goblins a brake! PBOT urges additional visibility, care while traveling on Halloween

Crosswalk education and enforcement action planned for SW 40^th Avenue and Huber Street on Thursday, October 27

(October 26, 2016) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation and Portland Police Bureau will conduct a crosswalk safety education and enforcement action on Thursday, October 27 at the marked crossing on SW 40^th Avenue and SW Huber Street beginning at 10:30 a.m. to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and Oregon traffic laws. PBOT also reminds Portlanders to use extra caution while using city streets and sidewalks on Halloween.

Children all across Portland will take to the streets to trick-or-treat for Halloween on Monday evening. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Halloween is consistently one of the top three days for pedestrian injuries and fatalities, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that children are four times more likely to be struck by a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other day of the year. Because excited trick-or-treaters often forget about safety, people driving and parents must be even more alert. Everyone should focus on being visible and to watch out for other travelers. Add lights and reflectors to your child's costume - it's a fun and easy way to help keep children safe as they trick or treat.

Drivers can do their part by driving at or below the posted speed, continuously scanning the environment looking for people walking and bicycling and being ready to stop as needed. People walking and bicycling are encouraged to be more visible by wearing retro-reflective wear, using a flashlight or blinking strobe, and investing in bright and contrasting outerwear.

Education and enforcement actions such as the October 27^th event are a key part of the City of Portland’s citywide effort to reach its Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Under Oregon law, people driving must stop and stay stopped for people walking when the pedestrian is in the travel lane or the adjacent lane.

The SW 40^th Avenue and SW Huber Street crossing has painted lines at the crosswalk and signage to alert drivers to the possible presence of people walking in the crossing.  

Each crosswalk enforcement action involves a designated pedestrian crossing at a marked or unmarked crosswalk while police monitor how people driving, bicycling and walking adhere to traffic safety laws. Drivers or bicyclists who fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk and pedestrians who fail to follow Oregon traffic laws may be issued a warning or citation.  PBOT encourages everyone who crosses the street to exercise care and caution when walking, biking or driving. Sharon White, PBOT, will serve as the designated pedestrian crossing the street during Thursday’s action.

Crosswalk education and enforcement actions are an effective way to communicate traffic laws to members of the traveling public. PBOT and PPB partner to conduct education and enforcement actions throughout the year to educate the general public on the rules at marked and unmarked crossings.

Learn more about rights and responsibilities for walking safely across a street. View the results of previous actions. Find out more about PBOT’s safety work and Vision Zero, PBOT’s goal of making our transportation system the safest possible and moving towards zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries by 2025. www.visionzeroportland.com.

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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation                  

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