News media contact:
John Brady
(503) 577-8236 john.brady@portlandoregon.gov @pbotinfo
News Release:
Speed Safety Cameras on SE Division and SE 122nd Avenue to start issuing tickets on Wednesday
(April 4, 2017) -- The Speed Safety Cameras on SE Division Street and SE
122nd Avenue will start issuing speeding tickets on Wednesday, April 5, after
30 days of issuing warnings.
The goal of the Speed
Safety Cameras is to reduce speeding and save lives. Both SE Division Street
and SE 122nd Avenue are part of Portland’s High Crash Network of roads. On these roads, people
walking along or crossing on foot are twice as likely to be struck by a car
than on the average city street.
The Speed Safety Cameras started issuing
warnings on March 6th, and the 30-day warning period ends today, April 4th. Those drivers who exceeded the speed limit and were photographed by the cameras during this period received warning letters alerting them to their violation of the speed limit.
There is already evidence that the average speeds of vehicles travelling on SE 122nd Avenue and SE Division have decreased substantially.
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Before the cameras were installed, an
average of 715 vehicles traveled 45 mph or faster on SE 122nd
Avenue.
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After the cameras were installed, an
average of 61 vehicles drove 45 mph and faster along SE 122nd Avenue
reflecting a 91% decrease from the
speed survey.
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Before the cameras were installed, an
average of 1,762 vehicles traveled 10 mph and more over the posted speed limit
on SE Division Street.
●
After the cameras were installed, an
average of 514 vehicles drove 40 mph and faster along SE Division Street
reflecting a 71% decrease from the
earlier count.
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“I am very heartened by the early results from the speed safety cameras on Outer Division and SE 122nd," said Transportation Commissioner Dan Saltzman. "These cameras work. They reduce speeding and by doing so, they are helping to make some of our most dangerous streets safer for all users.”
"Like the speed safety cameras we installed last fall on Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway, the cameras on SE Division and SE 122nd have had an immediate impact," said Transportation Leah Treat. "We are so focused on reducing speeding because it is one of the most significant contributing factors to deadly and serious crashes on our streets. If we can get people to slow down, we can save lives. It's that simple."
On March 6, 2017, Transportation Commissioner Dan Saltzman installs warning signage near the Speed Safety Camera on SE Division. Photo credit: PBOT
The speed safety cameras
on SE Division and on SE 122nd are the result of the 2015 passage of HB 2621,
which allows them to be used on High Crash Corridors in the Portland city
limits. The first cameras in Portland were installed on SW Beaverton-Hillsdale
Highway in the fall of 2016. The City of Portland has been using other cameras
to supplement speed enforcement for years, with police officers in vans
enforcing speed limit violations. Portland also uses cameras to increase
enforcement compliance with red lights at traffic signals.
When people exceed the
posted speed limit while driving past the safety cameras, the camera systems capture
photos and video for review by Portland Police. An officer from the Portland
Police Bureau will review violations before a citation is issued. Penalties are
the same as a speeding violation initiated by any other means. The typical
speeding citation in Oregon is a Class C violation (11 to 20 mph in excess of
the speed limit) resulting in a $160 fine. HB 2621 requires that money received
from the speeding tickets can only be spent to cover the cost of the program or
pay for safety improvements and programs on High Crash Corridors. PBOT plans to
install additional speed safety cameras on NE Marine Drive later this year.
The Speed Safety Cameras
program provides ample warning to people driving in the area. State law
requires speed signage and speed reader boards to be installed on the street
warning drivers more than 100 yards in advance of the cameras in both
directions. Speed reader board
displays a driver’s current rate of speed providing immediate feedback in
advance of the fixed speed safety camera. PBOT staff also conducted extensive outreach with local
neighborhood associations, community organizations and businesses through mail,
meetings, visits and community radio to raise awareness of the changes along
the two corridors, before the cameras were installed.
In addition
to the new cameras, PBOT is delivering additional safety and maintenance
projects. For example, PBOT will enhance SE 122nd Avenue crossings by
installing rapid flashing beacons, pedestrian islands, a
pedestrian hybrid beacon as well as new sidewalks.
Along SE
Division, projects include:
● Accelerated timelines for
federally-funded safety projects on outer SE Division, including the East
Portland Active Transportation (EPAT) and Highway Safety Improvement Program
(HSIP) projects. The projects now slated for construction in 2017 include pedestrian
crossings with median islands and Rapid Flashing Beacons or Pedestrian Hybrid
Signals to complement sidewalk infill.
● Expansion of the East Portland In Motion
(EPIM) buffered bike lane project on outer SE Division St to a multi-modal
safety project, with focus in the Jade and Division Midway Alliance Districts.
● Installation of additional speed reader
boards at four locations from SE 82nd to the city limits to educate drivers and
reduce speeding.
The City of Portland has joined cities around the country in embracing Vision Zero – the notion that the death of even one person on our roads is one too many. Vision Zero prevents traffic deaths through smart policy and system design. Learn more about Vision Zero and Speed Safety Cameras by visiting www.visionzeroportland.com.
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The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is the steward of the City’s transportation system, and a community partner in shaping a livable city. We plan, build, manage and maintain an effective and safe transportation system that provides access and mobility. Learn more at www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation.
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