Speeding is a top contributing factor to deadly crashes across the Portland region. Speed safety cameras are a proven tool to support safe speeds.
Resolving a Speed Safety Camera Citation
Locations
Intersection safety cameras are new to Portland and issue citations for speeding and red light running. There is currently one intersection safety camera in Portland. Each camera enforces speed and red lights for one direction of travel.
Camera location:
- SE Stark Street and 122nd Avenue, SE (map)
There are eight fixed speed safety cameras in Portland. Each camera enforces one direction of travel.
Approximate camera locations are:
- 122nd Avenue, SE
- Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, SW
- Westbound & Eastbound: 3600 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway (map)
- Division Street, SE
- Westbound & Eastbound: 15000 SE Division Street (map)
- Marine Drive, NE
New camera locations are coming soon! In 2022-2024, The City of Portland will install new cameras, including intersection safety cameras. The list of locations listed below is not exhaustive.
Intersection safety cameras:
- SE Stark Street and 148th Avenue, SE (in 2023)
Speed safety cameras (approximate locations):
- Eastbound: 2800 NE Columbia Boulevard (in 2023)
- Westbound: 3000 NE Columbia Boulevard (in 2023)
- Eastbound: 7500 NE Sandy Boulevard (in 2023
- Westbound: 7400 NE Sandy Boulevard (in 2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Portland enforcing speeds on specific streets?
Most deadly crashes in Portland occur on big arterial streets. These streets have a serious crash rate 4.3 times higher than the freeway system.
Oregon state law allows Portland to use speed safety cameras only on its most dangerous streets. These are our High Crash Network streets. The High Crash Network represents just 8% of the city’s street network but accounts for 57% of traffic deaths.
Hasn't Portland had speed safety cameras for a long time?
Prior to 2015, state law only allowed photo radar systems to be operated in mobile vans for no more than four hours in one location with a uniformed police officer present. This resulted in inconsistent enforcement and a “decay effect” – travelers return to speeding once the van leaves. The newer fixed speed safety camera system provides more consistent and predictable speed control on Portland’s most dangerous streets.
Is speeding dangerous?
Speeding is a top contributing factor to deadly crashes across the Portland region.
Even small increases in speed can significantly increase both the risk of crashing and the severity of injuries when a collision occurs. A pedestrian hit at 20 mph has a 10% chance of severe injury or death, while a pedestrian hit at 40 mph has an 80% chance of severe injury or death.
Research also indicates that speeding only marginally reduces trip times in urban areas.
Do speed safety cameras make streets safer?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration completed an international survey of automated enforcement and found that speed safety camera enforcement reduces injury crashes by 20 to 25%.
A more recent Cochrane survey found that speed cameras reduced total crashes by up to 49% and deadly and serious-injury crashes by up to 44%.
How can I avoid a speed safety camera citation?
We post signs ahead of all speed safety cameras to help people avoid a citation. Signs include “Traffic Laws Photo Enforced,” a speed limit sign, and a speed reader board displaying your current rate of speed.
Commonly used travel apps also warn travelers about the presence of cameras.
What is the typical fine for a speed safety camera citation?
Penalties are the same as a speeding violation initiated by any other means. The typical speeding citation in Oregon is a Class C violation (11 to 20 mph in excess of the speed limit) resulting in a $170 fine.
Are speed safety cameras a tool to fix city budget issues?
The purpose of fixed speed safety cameras is to change behavior, not to generate revenue.
Experience from other communities indicates that fixed speed safety cameras results in rapid behavior change. Seattle’s fixed speed safety camera system saw a 64% drop in the average number of citations per day after two years.
More than two-thirds of the traffic fine revenue collected by Portland's speed safety camera program go to the State of Oregon’s Criminal Fine Account. The statute authorizing Portland to use fixed speed safety cameras directs that any amount paid to the City of Portland as a result of this program must pay for operating and maintaining the cameras and for improving traffic safety.
Photo Enforcement Reports
The following reports are external PDF files hosted by the Oregon State Legislature.