Each pair of shoes in that image above represents just one of the 405 precious lives lost on Oregon roads so far this year. We are on pace for yet another grisly record locally and across the state as our collective efforts to make road use safer continues to be outpaced by the growth of the threat.
“My hope is that everyone who sees these empty shoes will be reminded that someone still mourns a person who no longer walks among us.”
— Kim Stone, survivor and member of Families for Safe Streets
In that gap between our incremental safety measures and the harsh realities of our sick transportation culture, people are being killed and injured every day.
One group hit particularly hard by this constant stream of traffic violence are the families left behind. Oregon and SW Washington Families for Safe Streets is made up of those survivors and they want more people to feel the loss caused by these crashes. These brave moms, dads, sisters and brothers are hosting a event this Saturday (11/5) to collect shoes for a temporary art installation that will coincide with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims observed worldwide on November 20th.
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“My hope is that everyone who sees these empty shoes will be reminded that someone still mourns a person who no longer walks among us,” said Kim Stone, one of the founding members of Families for Safe Streets.
The Day of Remembrance seeks to not just remember lost friends and family, but also to pay tribute to the first responders who deal with the traumatic aftermath of traffic carnage.
If you have a used pair of shoes that you’d like to donate for this art installation, please drop it by Oregon Walks headquarters, 1805 NE 2nd Avenue, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on November 5th. Everyone is also invited to the unveiling of the memorial and a vigil on the 20th. More details on the event’s Facebook page or the BikePortland Calendar.
— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org
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wow so powerful.
That’s going to be a powerful installation. Now imagine filling the mall in DC with 40,000 pairs of shoes to represent our national CARnage. There would be no room to walk.
heartbreaking
Yet, TriMet and PBOT continue with their victim-blaming “Be Seen Be Safe” campaign.
Achieving Vision Zero requires all users of the roads to take care. Leaving your safety in the hands of others is folly.
There is scant evidence that hi-vis even improves safety at all. So what PBOT and TriMet are doing amounts to fashion advice. And why should I let the government tell me how to dress myself?
Resist the heavy hand of big government dictating your fashion choices. Resist! Rise up! TriMet and PBOT are squeezing the last bit of freedom juice from the dried husks of our formerly taut and succulent bodies! The hour is upon us! Resist the fashion police! Be naked! Be bare! Be dark! Be free!
Adam, you sound like a scientific kind of guy so you must be familiar with the term “extrapolate” so I ask you to check out http://www.headlightson247.com/statistics-research/ Australian Transport Workers Union 13 year Road Safety Campaign to prevent Truck vs Car collisions. “International studies have shown that DRL’s (Daytime Running Lights) could help prevent anywhere between seven and 25% of all fatal daytime crashes. The greatest benefits are seen with more severe crashes, including head-on and intersection crashes, but they also make approaching vehicles far more visible for pedestrians, motorcyclist, and cyclists.”
Maybe there isn’t exact research on pedestrian/cyclist/auto collisions reduction but substitute cyclist or pedestrian as “Car” and put auto into the “Truck” category.
As a physician, I’ve seen enough trauma victims that would probably not have even needed to be treated in the hospital if they had a helmet on. So your fashion statement as a cyclist can be a bright colored helmet. (I finally found a great fluorescent yellow MIPs helmet but for commuting I’m partial to my Pink Nutcracker)
When your walking out and about and low and behold the sun is setting, turn on the flashlight on your cellphone for instant improved visibility.
As a member of Oregon and SW Washington Families for Safe Streets I confess I may be hypersensitive to the “victim blaming” approach but I know I feel very strongly that, “WE ALL NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY to ensure our roads are safer.”
Thank you, Jonathan! We are still open to ideas and suggestions for the 20th, if anyone would like to offer them here or contact us on our Facebook page or me at finnekk@comcast.net.
I don’t think “Be Seen Be Safe” is working. Maybe one of these might be better, if not quite as catchy:
“Don’t Get Run Over”
“Buy A Mirror And Ride Into The Ditch When You See A Dangerous Driver Approaching”
“Stay Off The Road During Times When Drunk Drivers Are About (7am to 7am)”
“Don’t Walk Or Ride A Bike. What Are You, Suicidal?”
“Assume Everyone Is Texting”
“Tell Your Driver Friends To Obey The Basic Speed Law Since We Won’t”