We use demographic data to understand how particular groups are impacted by traffic violence differently. This shapes how we respond and take action.
Race and ethnicity (2020 - 2022)
Recent Portland data shows that Black and Indigenous community members died in traffic crashes at about twice the rate relative to their proportion of the population. A recent study by Multnomah County found a similar disparity.
Age and sex (2018 - 2022)
The ages of traffic victims vary widely, but a majority are in their mid-20s to mid-50s. In Portland, 70% of people who died in traffic crashes were assigned as male. We can conclude that males ages 26 to 55 are at the highest risk.
Housing status (2021 - 2022)
In the last two years in Portland, people experiencing houselessness were nearly 80 times more likely to die in a traffic crash than the population overall, according to the 2022 Point in Time Count report. Housing status data from 2021 and 2022 police crash reports indicate that 55% of pedestrians killed - 30 out of 55 - were unhoused when they died. The staggeringly disproportionate impact on this population speaks to the extreme risk of persistent exposure to traffic, often on high-speed streets.
Disability
National research finds pedestrians with disabilities have a significantly higher risk of death from traffic violence. While Portland data on this is incomplete, we understand that social identities – including disability, race, ethnicity, gender identity, social class, religion, and sexual orientation – overlap with one another and can cumulatively impact a person’s safety while getting around. We also know that prioritizing the needs of those experiencing the greatest disparities will in turn improve outcomes for all users.