Mon-Fri: 8am-5:30pm | Sat: 8am-1pm

TALK TO AN EXPERT

MENU

PRACTICE AREAS

Excessive Speeding Puts Portland Road Users at Risk, Lawyer Reports

Portland, OR auto accident attorneyDuring the busiest times of day, Portland’s streets can become crowded with motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. When Oregon drivers fail to obey the posted speed limits, it only takes one wrong move to put someone’s life in jeopardy.  

According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report, there were approximately 10,111 road deaths caused by speeding in 2016 (the most recent statistics), which made up 27 percent of all traffic fatalities that year.  

Speed-related accidents can be especially dangerous for the following reasons:  

  • With greater speed, drivers can lose control of their vehicles.  
  • It can take more time and distance to come to a complete stop. 
  • The severity of a crash can increase with speed. 

Speeding On City Streets Means Higher Risk Of A Crash

In response to the dangers posed by speeding on city streets, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is urging cities across the U.S. to reduce their speed limits.  

IIHS conducted a study in Boston, which lowered its speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on municipal roads and dense areas in 2017. The study compared Boston roadways affected by the speed limit decrease with similar roadways in Providence, RI. They found that in a 25-mph zone, drivers are:  

  • 29.3% less likely to exceed 35 mph 
  • 8.5% less likely to exceed 30 mph 
  • 2.9% less likely to exceed 25 mph 

On April 1st of this year, Portland reduced its speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph in most of its residential neighborhoods – covering roughly 70 percent of the city’s street mileage. Shortly after, the City Council voted to lower the speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph on Southeast Stark Street. The ordinance took effect immediately.  

Portland has been taking further measures to reduce speeding, particularly on the two-mile stretch between North 33rd Drive and Insterstate 5. The speed limit was reduced from 40 mph to 35 mph and speed cameras were installed.

Additionally, speed cameras have been placed on some of Portland’s most dangerous streets. While they have prevented accidents involving speeding, many drivers still continue to drive over the posted speed limit. Furthermore, citations are only issued to drivers who exceed the speed limit by 11 miles per hour.

Other cities, including Seattle, and New York City, have lowered their speed limits as part of Vision Zero’s effort to eliminate traffic deaths. As a result, they have seen a significant reduction in fatal accidents. 

What To Do If You’re Struck By A Speeding Driver 

While lowering the speed limit in Portland may help reduce speed-related accidents, some drivers may still continue to drive recklessly. If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by a speeding driver in Portland, you should take your claim seriously from the start.  

If you’re able to do so, it’s crucial to take photos of the crash scene and speak to witnesses. The amount of damage done to your vehicle and the distance of tire tracks (if the other driver applied his or her brakes) can often give clues as to how fast the other driver was traveling at the time of a crash.  

You should also seek immediate medical attention, even if you feel ok. Injury symptoms can often take days to appear.  

Don’t worry about dealing with the other driver’s insurance company. An experienced Portland auto accident attorney can take care of that so you can focus on recovery. Contact Zbinden & Curtis, Attorneys At Law today for a free case evaluation. We handle cases throughout Oregon.

Latest Posts

Archives

Free Injury Case Evaluation

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Related Practice Areas

Environmental Factors in Auto Accident Settlement Negotiations: Considering Climate and Infrastructure

In the event of an auto accident, how much of the damage can be placed on the bad weather? How liable are you for...

Understanding No-Fault Insurance in Oregon: How It Impacts Auto Accident Claims

Understanding no-fault insurance in Oregon is essential for drivers, especially in the event of an auto accident....

What’s the Role of Dashcams in Auto Accident Cases?

With clear video evidence, insurers can assess and process claims more efficiently and reduce the time it takes to resolve disputes....

Challenges and Strategies in Hit-and-Run Auto Accident Cases

Dealing with a hit-and-run accident in Oregon presents unique challenges, from identifying the fleeing driver to dealing with insurance complexities. Our article provides insights...

Liability for Slip and Falls in Hotel Bathrooms and Restrooms: Special Considerations

At Zbinden & Curtis Attorneys At Law, we would like to help clients understand the risks of hotel bathrooms, their rights when accidents occur,...

Recent News & Updates: Oregon’s Protocols for Slip and Fall Cases

Stay updated on Oregon's evolving courtroom protocols for slip and fall cases. Learn how leveraging modern technology can bolster your personal injury claim with...