Traffic Safety Coalition Announces Traffic Fatalities in Oregon on the Decline

April 12, 2012 - PRLog -- CHICAGO – The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show the number of fatalities on Oregon’s roadways declined 34 percent, including a 33 percent reduction in speed-related fatalities, from 2006 to 2010. Oregon roads are getting safer as drivers practice more responsibility on the road, automobiles become safer and police are able to take advantage of new technology to hold lawbreakers accountable through the use of live-saving enforcement tools such as red light cameras and speed cameras.  

According to NHTSA data, there were 317 fatalities on Oregon roads in 2010, down from 478 in 2006.  Speed-related fatalities were also reduced by 33 percent – from 145 in 2006 to 97 in 2010.  

Cities across Oregon use red light and speed cameras to change driver behavior and deter drivers from breaking the law.  Statistics from these communities show safety cameras are working to reduce crashes and save lives:

•   Sherwood, Ore. – Intersection safety cameras at Sherwood led to a 65% reduction in traffic crashes (The Oregonian).  
   
•   Tualatin, Ore. –Intersection safety cameras in Tualatin led to a 65% reduction in injury crashes, from 500 to 175 (City of Tualatin).

•   Portland, Ore. –Intersection safety cameras in Portland led to a 30% reduction in red light injury accidents (The Oregonian) and speed safety cameras in Portland school zones led to a roughly 66% reduction in excessive speeding in school zones (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

Traffic safety cameras in Oregon and across the country have the support of many individuals.  Sherwood Police Chief Jeff Groth spoke about the city’s safety camera program, saying:

"This is a big enough town, there's a lot of traffic stuff going on. To me, [red light cameras] is a solution.  If nobody runs a red light, nobody gets their picture taken.  That would be a victory." (The Oregonian)