(May 21, 2019) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Portland Police Bureau (PPB) will conduct a crosswalk safety education and enforcement action on Wednesday, May 22 at the marked crossing on Northeast Glisan at NE 87th Avenue from 10:30 a.m. to noon to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and Oregon traffic laws.
Under Oregon law, EVERY intersection is a legal crosswalk, whether it is marked or unmarked. People driving must stop and stay stopped for people walking when the pedestrian is in the travel lane or the adjacent lane.
The crossing on Northeast Glisan at Northeast NE 87th Ave has a marked crosswalk, median island and signage. In addition, “stop here” signage and stop lines indicate where drivers stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, making all travelers more visible. A westbound solar speed reader board is located east of this crossing to provide driver feedback of their speeds.
Changes are coming this year to the crossing at Northeast 87th Avenue. Improvements include rapid flashing beacons and lighting. PBOT will also implement changes on Northeast Glisan between 102nd-162nd to enhance safety, reduce crash severity, and to allow residents to conveniently access schools, parks, transit, and economic opportunity by walking and biking. A description of upcoming NE Glisan safety improvements can be found at PBOT's Vision Zero webpage.
Northeast Glisan, a Vision Zero designated high crash network street, had a total of 75 fatal and serious injury crashes in 2007-16, the most recent 10-year period for which data are available.
People walking legally in Portland and hit by a person driving who fails to stop for them, is the number one cause of pedestrian crashes resulting in death or serious injury. People driving can do their part by having more patience, driving at or below the posted speed, continuously scanning the environment looking for people walking and bicycling, and being ready to stop as needed.
Northeast Glisan at Northeast 87th Avenue. Image by Google.com
Education and enforcement actions such as the May 22 event are a key part of the City of Portland’s citywide effort to achieve Vision Zero, the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
People driving can do their part by having more patience, driving at or below the posted speed, continuously scanning the environment looking for people walking and bicycling, and being ready to stop as needed. PBOT also reminds Portlanders to watch for people walking at all hours of the day or night, and that it is illegal to drive in the center turn lane.
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 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. A PBOT staff member will serve as the designated pedestrian crossing the street during Wednesday’s action.
Crosswalk education and enforcement actions are an effective way to communicate traffic laws to people driving and walking. The transportation and police bureaus do education and enforcement actions in response to requests by community members, city traffic safety engineers, and Portland Police to educate the general public on the rules at marked and unmarked crossings.
Learn more about rights and responsibilities for crossing streets in Oregon (in English; Español); and view the results of previous actions.
Portland is committed to ending traffic violence in our communities. Through the Vision Zero program, the City of Portland and our partners are working to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our streets.
To request a Vision Zero community briefing or enforcement action in your area, call the 823-SAFE Traffic Safety Hot Line at (503) 823-7233, or submit a Traffic Safety Hot Line request at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/69703.
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