In 2021, there were a total of 2,726 crashes on state highways in Portland. Among these, 28 were fatal, 1,495 resulted in injuries, and 1,203 involved property damage. A significant portion of these accidents—150—were collisions with fixed objects, 46 involved pedestrians, and 18 were with parked cars.
When it comes to multiple vehicle crashes, the majority occurred when vehicles entered at an angle or were traveling straight ahead, resulting in two fatalities for each scenario. Additionally, there were multiple vehicle crashes at non-intersections: five involved vehicles moving in opposite directions, and one occurred in the same direction. A total of 383 injuries were recorded in crashes involving vehicles stopped in traffic.
Pedestrian accidents were notably dangerous, with 12 accidents in total—two at intersections and ten at non-junctions. In these cases, both the vehicle and the pedestrian were traveling straight and visible from a distance, highlighting that these fatalities could often be avoided with increased attention and focus.
Alcohol and excessive speed were major contributors to fatal accidents, with 14 and 10 fatal crashes respectively. Almost 97% of the vehicles involved in recorded accidents were passenger cars. However, motor scooters proved to be the deadliest on average, emphasizing the importance of avoiding highways and major roads when operating vehicles that expose the driver to significant risks.
In the motorcycle category, there were 46 injuries and two fatalities. Truck-related accidents resulted in 159 injuries and three fatalities. Additionally, seven emergency vehicles and eight public vehicles were also involved in accidents, underscoring the importance of following instructions when emergency lights are visible or when authorities issue warnings.
Weather conditions also played a significant role: 602 accidents occurred in darkness, resulting in 22 fatalities, while 1,931 accidents happened during the day, with five fatalities. On wet roads, there were 652 accidents and seven fatalities. Of the total 5,613 injured, 545 injuries and seven deaths involved non-residents, highlighting the importance of understanding local traffic laws, planning routes carefully, and ensuring adequate insurance coverage when traveling.
Most collisions were rear-end crashes, but the deadliest were head-on collisions, which resulted in four fatalities. Additionally, 383 accidents and 140 instances of property damage were caused by sideswipes during overtaking, emphasizing how poor driving practices can lead to significant financial losses, often due to road rage or impatience.
Traffic statistics provided by Transportation Data Section Crash Analysis and Reporting Unit of OSDT.