Oregon Makes Historic Strides in Motor Vehicle Safety

The numbers for pedestrian safety are not as positive...

Logo for the Oregon Dept. of Transportation

(SALEM, Ore.) - The preliminary numbers from 2010 are in, and they paint a picture of Oregonians responding to transportation safety messages. Oregon’s motor vehicle fatality toll for last year is preliminarily at 325. That’s 13 percent lower than 2009 (377 fatalities) and the lowest since 1944, when it was 245.

“Of course, this is good news overall,” said Troy E. Costales, Oregon Department of Transportation Safety Division administrator. “It appears that education and enforcement are helping Oregonians realize they can make a difference in safety. Still, there were too many individuals who paid the price of their lives, and we all must continue to be diligent.”

Improvements in road design and traffic management techniques have also contributed to fewer crashes and fatalities, as has the availability and skill of emergency responders. But most important is the personal responsibility required by drivers, riders and walkers every time they travel.

Although 2010’s numbers won’t be finalized until later this year, other preliminary statistics show a positive trend:

• The number of “zero fatal” days (days when there are no fatal crashes) grew to 167 last year. The number of “zero fatal” days has been increasing the past few years.
• The number of motorcycle fatalities was the lowest since 2004, at 38. Also, it appears 19 percent of the motorcyclists in fatal crashes were under the influence of alcohol or drugs, one of the lowest percentages in many years.
• The number of bicyclist fatalities has remained low, at seven.
• Based on the number of vehicle miles traveled, estimates show a fatality rate of 0.96 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled — the lowest in Oregon motorized history, surpassing the goals set in 1995 and 2004 by ODOT and the transportation safety community.

The numbers for pedestrian safety are not as positive, according to preliminary statistics.

• Pedestrian fatalities were higher than expected, at 62 (In 2009, 39 were killed).
• In the first six months of 2010, more than half of the pedestrians killed were under the influence (16 of 31 tested positive for alcohol/drugs), with seven above 0.11 BAC (blood alcohol content).
• In the first six months of 2010, almost two-thirds of the pedestrians killed were not at an intersection (marked or unmarked) and instead were reported as “in the roadway” (23 of 31).

If these numbers hold, Costales said, this will be the 12th straight year Oregon has fared better than the national overall crash fatality average, after 50 years of being worse than the national average.

 “The 2010 story clearly shows that by buckling up, driving and walking sober, managing speed and training our teen drivers, we are absolutely making a difference,” said Costales. “I want to stress, though, that we can all do even more, because one life lost is one too many.”

Here are some general tips for staying safe on Oregon roads:

• Don’t drive impaired. Alcohol, illegal drugs and even some legal drugs can reduce the ability to use good judgment.
• Obey the speed limit. Speed limits help reduce crashes based on congestion, road design and other factors.
• Buckle up every time. Safety belts and child safety seats (including boosters) are the biggest contributors to saving lives in crashes.
• Pedestrians: Stay alert, walk predictably, follow traffic signals, wear light-colored or reflective clothing, and be especially careful at curbs.
• Bicyclists: Ride with traffic, follow traffic signals, wear helmets, wear light-colored or reflective clothing, and maintain control of your bicycle.
• Young drivers: Take a formal driver education course.
• Pay attention: Your life depends on it.

Source: News release from the Oregon Dept. of Transportation