 News media contact:
Hannah Schafer
(971) 235-8472
News Advisory:
Commissioner Eudaly and representatives from Portland Fire & Rescue, Portland Police, TriMet and Legacy Emanuel Medical Center encourage Portlanders to safely ring in the New Year
 (Dec. 28, 2018) On December 31st, Transportation Commissioner Chloe Eudaly will be joined by representatives from Portland Fire & Rescue, Portland Police, TriMet and Legacy Emanuel Medical Center to encourage Portlanders to celebrate responsibly this New Year’s Eve.
For the second year in a row, PBOT will be offering discounts for people who choose to take a safe ride home. Safe Ride Home is a partnership to prevent impaired driving. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is working with taxis, transportation network companies, Portland Police Bureau and bar owners to offer reduced-cost rides home on targeted holidays with the goal of preventing people from driving under the influence. Impairment is a key Vision Zero focus area; more than half of traffic deaths in Portland involve people traveling impaired. In the past year, PBOT offered Safe Ride Home travel options on St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo, Brewers Festival and Halloween.
For New Year’s Eve, PBOT’s Safe Ride Home program is offering up to $20 savings on taxi rides with designated taxi services from 8 p.m., Dec. 31, 2018 to 8 a.m., Jan. 1, 2019 and $5 savings on rides with Lyft and Uber. Coupons for discounted rides are available at over 50 venues across Portland. Additionally, TriMet and Portland Streetcar are offering free rides on Dec. 31, 2018 at 8:00 p.m., until service ends. For more information about the Safe Ride Home program see SafeRideHomePDX.com.
Portland Fire & Rescue has committed to partnering with PBOT and supporting Vision Zero by assisting with safety messages and education to reduce the likelihood of serious injuries and fatalities on Portland's streets.
The Portland Police Bureau will continue its commitment to partner with PBOT on crosswalk enforcement efforts as well as traffic safety missions, partnering with each of the three police precincts. Additionally, the Police Bureau will continue to proactively message safety information to reduce the likelihood of injuries and fatalities on Portland streets.
As of December 28th, 2018, there have been 33 traffic fatalities in the city of Portland. This is less than the previous three years. In 2019, PBOT will continue to make investments in safety improvements as it works toward the Vision Zero goal of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on Portland streets by 2025. The projects will focus on the City’s High Crash Network, including on NE Marine Drive and N Lombard Street.
Who: Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, TriMet Chief Operating Officer Maurice Henderson II, Portland Police Sergeant Ty Engstrom, representatives from Portland Fire & Rescue and Dr. K. Dean Gubler, M.D., Trauma surgeon, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
What: Looking ahead to Vision Zero in 2019 and safety messages for New Year’s celebrations
When: 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 31
Where: Fire Station 1, 55 SW Ash St, Portland, OR 97204
Visuals: Remarks by Commissioner Chloe Eudaly, TriMet Chief Operating Officer Maurice Henderson II, Portland Police Sergeant Ty Engstrom, representatives from Portland Fire & Rescue and Dr. K. Dean Gubler, M.D., Trauma surgeon, Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.
 Portland is committed to ending traffic violence in our communities. Through the Vision Zero program, the City of Portland and our partners are working to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on our streets by 2025.
Learn more at 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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