 News media contact:
Dylan Rivera
503-823-3723
dylan.rivera@portlandoregon.gov
@pbotinfo
PBOT News Advisory:
Crosswalk education and enforcement action planned for SE Stark Street at SE 160th Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 18
Raising awareness of pedestrian safety and Oregon traffic laws
(Sept. 17, 2019) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) and Portland Police Bureau will conduct a crosswalk safety education and enforcement action on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the marked crossing on Southeast Stark Street at SE 160th Avenue, from noon to 1:30 p.m. to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and Oregon traffic laws.
Under Oregon law, EVERY intersection is a legal crosswalk, whether it is marked or unmarked. People driving must stop and stay stopped for people walking when the pedestrian is in the travel lane or the adjacent lane.
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The crossing on Southeast Stark Street at 160th Avenue has a marked crosswalk, median island, signage and rapid flashing beacons. “Stop here” signage and stop lines indicate where drivers stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, making all travelers more visible. The surrounding area includes businesses, residences and schools. and served by TriMet bus line 20 with stops on either side of the intersection.
PBOT is planning to make improvements along the 3-mile section of SE Stark Street between SE 108th Avenue and 162nd Avenue. This corridor has been identified as a High Crash Corridor for every mode of travel – for people driving, people biking, and for pedestrians. The project, Safer Outer Stark, is intended to reduce deadly and serious crashes, slow excess motor vehicle speeds, improve lighting conditions, provide safer crossings, and support future enhanced transit. The project is currently in the planning phase, with construction estimated to begin in 2021. For more information visit the project website.
A solar speed reader board was installed last summer just west of SE 157th Avenue; and construction is underway for rapid flashing beacons, pedestrian refuge islands, signage, and striping at SE Stark Street and SE 155th Avenue.
 Southeast Stark Street at 160th Avenue (looking west). Image by Google.com
There were 63 crashes on SE Stark Street during the ten-year period, 2008 – 2017, the most recent data available, resulting in eight fatalities and 59 people suffering serious injuries, 15 of which were people walking or biking. More than two-thirds of the serious injuries and 7 of the 8 fatalities occurred along Outer Stark (east of 82nd). Families continued to suffer the loss of loved ones in 2018, with three more fatal crashes along SE Stark, two of which involved people walking.
Most crashes resulting in death or injury to pedestrians happen when the person is walking legally and struck by a person driving who fails to stop. People driving can do their part by having more patience, driving at or below the posted speed, continuously scanning the environment looking for people walking and bicycling and being ready to stop as needed.
PBOT reminds Portlanders to watch for people walking at all hours of the day or night, and that it is illegal to drive in the center turn lane. With school back in session, expect children walking to and from school or other activity every day – not just during the upcoming International Walk + Roll to School Day. The driving public is reminded to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians who are carrying a white cane or accompanied by a dog guide every day – not just on the upcoming National White Cane Safety Day. These brochures in English and Español help explain more about rights and responsibilities for crossing streets in Oregon
Each crosswalk enforcement action involves a designated pedestrian crossing at a marked or unmarked crosswalk while police monitor whether people driving, bicycling and walking adhere to traffic safety laws. Drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk and pedestrians who fail to follow Oregon traffic laws may be issued a warning or citation. A PBOT staff member will serve as the designated pedestrian crossing the street during Wednesday’s action.
Crosswalk education and enforcement actions are an effective way to communicate traffic laws to people driving and walking. The transportation and police bureaus do education and enforcement actions in response to requests by community members, city traffic safety engineers, and Portland Police to educate the general public on the rules at marked and unmarked crossings.
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. Education and enforcement actions such as the September 18 event are a key part of the City of Portland’s citywide effort to achieve Vision Zero.
To request a Vision Zero community briefing, enforcement action in your area, or any non-urgent traffic safety concerns, call the 823-SAFE Traffic Safety Hot Line at (503) 823-7233, or submit a non-urgent Traffic Safety Hot Line request at https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/79389
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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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