 News media contact:
John Brady
(503) 577-8236
john.brady@portlandoregon.gov
@pbotinfo
News Release:
Speed Safety Cameras on NE Marine Drive High Crash Corridor start issuing warnings on Tuesday
Citations start March 22
(Feb. 19, 2017) -- The Speed Safety Cameras that were recently installed on NE Marine Drive will begin issuing warnings on Tuesday, Feb. 20 to drivers who exceed the posted speed limit on this High Crash Corridor, the Portland Bureau of Transportation announced today.
The 30-day warning period will end on March 21; citations will start to be issued the following day.
 The goal of the Speed Safety Camera program is to reduce speeding and save lives. Marine Drive is one of 30 streets that comprise Portland's High Crash Network. The roads in this network make up just 8 percent of Portland streets, but account for 57 percent of fatal crashes citywide.
"Vision Zero is our goal for transportation safety, which means no one should be killed in a traffic crash on our streets," said City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who oversees PBOT. "I'm proud to see PBOT deliver on our promise to the legislature that we would deploy this technology on high crash corridors, where we have the most traffic fatalities."
PBOT Director Leah Treat said the bureau has learned that the cameras that have been reducing speeding in other cities are working in Portland too.
"We now have evidence from three corridors in Portland that our safety cameras reduce dangerous speeding," Treat said. "Safety cameras are one of the best tools we have for slowing down traffic and saving lives. We will continue to work with the Vision Zero Task Force to expand this to additional high crash corridors where we can reduce speeding."
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 Eastbound on Marine Drive, the cameras have been installed near NE 33rd Avenue, where a traffic study found 995 vehicles a day driving at least 10 mph over the speed limit of 40 mph.
Another set of cameras face westbound traffic near NE 138th Avenue, where a traffic study found 485 vehicles a day driving at least 10 mph over the speed limit of 45 mph.
The fatality rate on Marine Drive is substantially higher than the citywide rate:
- One out of 350 crashes result in a fatality citywide. On Marine Drive, more than 10 out of 350 crashes result in a fatality.
- The percentage of lane-departure crashes along Marine Drive is more than three times higher than citywide over the last 10 years: 17 percent versus 5.5 percent citywide.
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PBOT would like to thank Portland General Electric for allowing the city to mount cameras on the utility's poles near NE 138th Avenue. The Bureau would also like to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Multnomah County Drainage District for allowing the cameras to be installed on the levee.
Last year, PBOT installed speed safety cameras on SE 122nd Avenue and SE Division Street. Since this installation, the average speeds of vehicles travelling on these streets have decreased substantially:
- Before the cameras were installed, an average of 715 vehicles traveled 45 mph or faster on SE 122nd Avenue.
- 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.
- 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.
Warnings to be issued on Marine Drive starting Tuesday, February 20th
 An example of a Speed Safety Camera warning letter.
The Speed Safety Cameras
in Portland 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 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 presumptive fine of $170. 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.
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 e-mail, postcards in the mail, social media, meetings and visits to raise awareness of the corridor, before the cameras were installed.
In addition
to the new cameras, PBOT is delivering additional safety and maintenance
projects on Marine Drive. For example, PBOT will install a traffic signal at NE Marine Drive and 122nd Avenue, and installation of rumble strips is planned as well.
Speed kills, so slow down
 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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