Salem, the capital city of Oregon, blends rich history with modern growth, offering a unique blend of cultural and natural attractions. Known for its proximity to both the scenic Willamette Valley and the Cascade Mountains, Salem provides residents and visitors with opportunities to explore picturesque vineyards, lush parks, and historical landmarks. As the heart of Oregon’s state government, the city is also a hub for civic activities, blending small-town charm with the energy of a bustling administrative center.
While Salem is admired for its beauty and peaceful atmosphere, like many growing cities, it faces challenges in areas such as road safety.
As of June 2024, the city has already seen a troubling spike in traffic fatalities, exceeding the total number of traffic-related deaths from the previous year in less than 6 months. This sharp rise in fatalities highlights the critical need for enhanced road safety measures and greater public awareness to address the underlying causes of these accidents.
Post-Pandemic Numbers
As we returned to regular life post-COVID in 2021, Salem, Oregon, also witnessed a surge in accident rates. That year, the city reported a total of 2,486 accidents, involving 4,659 vehicles. The statistics were concerning, with 19 fatalities and 1,448 injuries, in addition to 1,019 incidents resulting in property damage. These figures highlight the pressing need for enhanced road safety initiatives and community awareness to address the challenges of driving in the area.
It’s important to take into account the high fatality rate of pedestrian accidents. Out of the total of fatal accidents that occurred, 10% involved cyclists and 30% were pedestrians.
Half of the casualties are individuals between 25 and 44 years old.
In 2021 also, there were 54 pedestrian crashes in Salem, resulting in 6 fatalities, with the majority occurring at locations without junctions, where vehicles were moving straight. Additionally, turning right and left at intersections contributes significantly to annual injuries. Out of these incidents, 34 involved pedestrians at crosswalks, while 6 occurred off-road.
Drunk driving incidents in Salem resulted in significant consequences across 112 accidents. We know that 6.25% of all drunk driving accidents resulted in deaths, while approximately 47% led to injuries. This highlights the severe impact of impaired driving on road safety in the area.
Fatal Numbers on the Rise in Salem and Oregon
The lack of infrastructure and sidewalks in many neighborhoods has made family life in Salem a bit riskier and less appealing, as highlighted by a 2023 poll.
Residents expressed concerns over safety, particularly for children and pedestrians, emphasizing that the absence of adequate walkways and safe crossing areas increases the likelihood of accidents. Additionally, many feel that courtesy has diminished, with vehicles often speeding through residential areas and quieter shopping zones.
Between 2010 and 2022, the overall number of traffic fatalities in Oregon surged by 73%.
Although the number of Oregonians who perished from transportation-related injuries remained steady from 2019 to 2020, there was a notable increase from 530 deaths in 2020 to 597 in 2021, followed by a rise to 606 in 2022.
While examining traffic deaths and injuries over a four-year span primarily reflects population trends—urban regions such as the Portland metro, Salem, and Eugene tend to experience higher traffic fatalities compared to rural areas—it’s important to note that many rural regions exhibited a higher death rate than their urban counterparts.
Focal Accident Spots
Here are some of the top intersections
in Salem where crashes are most frequent:
- Liberty St. NE and Center St. NE
- Commercial St. NE and Marion St. NE
- Commercial St. SE and Madrona Ave. SE
- Lancaster Dr. NE and Market St. NE
- East off-ramp of Interstate 5 and Brooklake Rd. NE
- Lancaster Dr. NE and Sunnyview Rd. NE
- Market St. NE and Hawthorne Ave. NE
- Lancaster Dr. NE and Devonshire Ave. NE
- Lancaster Dr. NE and Ward Dr. NE
- East off-ramp of Interstate 5 and Highway 22
- Mission St. SE and Airport Rd. SE
Highway 22, 55, and I-5 are major routes in Salem that frequently experience closures
due to multiple accidents, often affecting both lanes of traffic throughout the year. These incidents not only disrupt traffic flow but also raise concerns about the safety of these key transportation corridors.