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‘Ghost car’ sign warns of speed, circa 1944

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward


A reader passed along an interesting photograph found on the Vintage Portland blog yesterday…

Detail if photograph from City of Portland archives.

The photo was taken in 1944 and shows the corner of SW 6th and Columbia. The sign reads, “Motorist Killed Here. Will YOU be next? Is your speed safe?” and there’s a skull and crossbones looming in the background. I guess speed has been a problem on Portland’s streets for a long time.

Wonder if there’d be any chance of a sign program like this happening today? I wonder if it would help?

[Hat tip to Vintage Portland.]

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