Welcome to the Traffic Car Crashes Page
Here at James Macdonald for Mayor, we understand the importance of addressing issues such as traffic accidents within our community. That's why we have created this resource to provide information and support for those affected by traffic car crashes.
I do not wish anyone misfortune or a car crash. When people get hurt from a traffic accidents that could have been avoided it makes me feel real bad. We have to enforce our laws on the books driving stoned or with a phone in your face is against the law let's enforce it oh yeah we need officers to hand out tickets. Years ago automobiles were not as safe as todays modern cars and trucks. The motor vehicle test was harder and they made sure you could safely drive an automobile. Todays standards are less rigorous letting anyone who can turn a key drive an automobile. The average weight of a car or truck can range from 3000 to 7000 pounds and that much weight traveling at 60mph inside a city can and does create great damage and sometimes the loss of a loved one. Always make sure your brakes work properly and the auto runs well. The reason why i am talking about this is because of increased car crashes the amount has doubled recently with the averages of fatality rising. In 2023 the traffic death toll hit a record high we have not seen in 30years despite Vision Zero efforts. In 2023 69 people were killed in traffic accidents. Since 2021 over 200 people have lost their lives on the streets of Portland. During the pandemic the traffic division was halted for two years. Police chief Chuck Lovell recently reinstated the traffic division only partially in 2023. I still see the problem as only being covered with a band-aid we need a complete full working force of police officers so that we have visible patrol officers everywhere not just in areas they consider high crash areas they are still under staffed. There are new drivers to the area and some drivers that just don't care lets get them off our streets. Stolen vehicles is still one of our top priorities that we need to be able to reduce and the ability to prosecute the thieves our current laws protect the thieves not the citizens. I say lets fix the laws so our police want to and our DA has to take action. Since the pandemic started Portlanders now choose to have goods delivered to their homes, untrained drivers make these deliveries looking for streets looking for addresses and a place to park. I was in a car crash recently. I was on a main street traveling the speed limit heading home. A young driver pulled out in front of me leaving no time to stop. After the crash and making sure everyone was okay. i asked him what he was doing?. He said i didn't see you. I asked him if he was driving by brail? I watch all the time people putting on makeup, texting, reaching in the back seat or lighting a pipe as they get into car crashes. According to research the number one reason for causation of accidents is Distracted driving habits. They say activities include using a cell phone, eating, texting, or multitasking while driving. Spending massive amounts of money putting in barriers of cement in the middle of the road adding trees at curbside diverting traffic patterns making business less accessible will only add to the distractions that PBOT is planning for 82nd avenue. They want it to look nice so they are adding trees to further distract drivers vision of pedestrians' come-on man as JOE would say to the leaders of PBOT. The intersection in the first picture I am talking about is 102nd and Halsey . I know there goal was to address the bike lane they added but only made it worse. There are many new bike lanes that need a different set of eyes making changes to make them safer. Look at the traffic lights different times red and green this intersection is very confusing. The next picture is the one I spoke about it in a different setting, it said this cross walk is closed it was new and only in place a couple weeks all that is left is a little metal coming out of the sidewalk. The next picture is a cement divider that has caused crashes disabled cars and a dangerous crosswalk. On some of the crosswalks the lights are not bright enough and the actual crosswalk looks hidden. Our PBOT is going to be in charge of the rebuilding of 82nd avenue saying they will make it more drivable and safer is their main concern and goal. Once again we need new leaders with a better vision for our future. Most of our drivers obey traffic laws but a visual presence of patrol cars is needed as a reminder for the ones who don't care.