Press release on PBOT 2010 traffic fatality data

Below is the press release from Mayor Adams’ about the 2010 traffic data (we reported about it yesterday):

2010 traffic data show progress on reducing fatalities in advance of Transportation Safety Summit

The Portland Bureau of Transportation released data today on the number of traffic fatalities in 2010. Bureau staff working on traffic safety noted the following about the numbers:

2010 had the second lowest number of total traffic fatalities on record in the City of Portland. The official record began in 1925.

The 2010 figure continues a long-term, downward trend in total traffic fatalities in Portland that began in the mid-80s and exceeds the national decrease in fatalities. (See accompanying graphs.)

Sadly, there was an increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2010 compared to numbers from the previous 5 years. The Bureau continues its work to make walking in Portland safer and asks the general public to attend the upcoming Transportation Safety Summit on February 8 at Marshall High School.

The seven motorist fatalities in 2010 are the lowest number recorded in Portland since 1925. For comparison, there were 37 motor vehicle fatalities in 1996.

There were zero bicyclists recorded as traffic fatalities last year. This has happened five of the last ten years.

“Since becoming transportation commissioner in 2004, safety has been and will continue to be my number one priority for the Bureau,” Mayor Sam Adams said. “Last year’s data show that Portland has made progress and that traffic fatalities are still trending downward. But even one fatality is too many. In the year ahead, we will continue to promote traffic safety for all through education, enforcement and engineering efforts with our excellent partners at Police and ODOT. I urge all interested Portlanders to attend the Fifth Transportation Safety Summit.”
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Commander of the Traffic Division Todd Wyatt said, “Our partnership with the community and the Portland Bureau of Transportation is creating one of the safest and most livable cities in the country. As people walk, bike and take transit more often, we all have to slow down, be sober and watch out for one another. The result is that fewer people are getting killed on our streets.”

PBOT Director Sue Keil said, “Portland should be proud of its safety record. By focusing on preventing unnecessary death and injury on our streets, we can help make neighborhoods, schools and business districts thrive.”

The Fifth Annual Transportation Safety Summit is an opportunity to learn more about Portland’s transportation safety trends, increase your awareness of recently completed and planned projects, identify innovative tools and techniques that can assist your work, collaborate with transportation safety professionals, and share your feedback. It will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 8 at Marshall High School.