The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) analyzes traffic crash data to identify the areas where severe injuries and fatalities occur most frequently. Each year, Portland records approximately 10,000 to 12,000 traffic crashes.
Crash data serves as a key tool for understanding where and how people are injured or killed while navigating Portland’s streets. However, most of this data relies on self-reported incidents, meaning not all traffic-related deaths are reflected in official records.
The High Crash Network consists of the 30 streets and intersections with the highest number of severe crashes. According to Vision Zero, this network represents just 8% of Portland’s roads, yet it accounted for 62% of traffic fatalities between 2018 and 2022.
Crash reports are included in this study if they meet the following criteria:
- The crash involves a motor vehicle and results in at least $2,500 in damages.
- The crash causes injury (regardless of severity) or death.
How Data Works
In accordance with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s FARS/CRSS Coding and Validation Manual, the American National Standards Institute’s Manual on Classification of Motor Vehicle Traffic Accidents, and the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Analysis and Code Manual, Portland crash data excludes people who die:
- More than 30 days after a crash
- Intentionally (suicide)
- In an act of homicide (a person intentionally crashes into another person)
- In a crash not involving a motor vehicle
- From a prior medical event (e.g. a heart attack or drug overdose)
- In a crash in a parking lot
Locations
Within the High Crash Network, 82% of the roads are managed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), while 18% fall under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Additionally, two bridges in the network are overseen by Multnomah County.
The Top 10 Most Hazardous Intersections are listed below, ranked from the most dangerous to the least based on three key factors: total crashes, collision rate, and overall severity of incidents.
Top 10 Most Hazardous Intersections
- SE Division St & SE 122nd Ave
- 1 fatality
- 99 crashes
- 91 total injuries
- SE Stark St & SE 122nd Ave
- 2 fatalities
- 86 crashes
- 84 total injuries
- NE Halsey St & NE 122nd Ave
- 1 fatality
- 75 crashes
- 53 total injuries
- SE Powell Blvd & SE 82nd Ave
- 0 fatalities
- 84 crashes
- 106 total injuries
- SE Powell Blvd & SE 148th Ave
- 3 fatalities
- 45 crashes
- 39 total injuries
- SE Powell Blvd & I-84 Freeway Ramp
- 0 fatalities
- 86 crashes
- 88 total injuries
- NE Glisan St & NE 102nd Ave
- 1 fatality
- 62 crashes
- 43 total injuries
- SE Stark St & SE 148th Ave
- 0 fatalities
- 54 crashes
- 60 total injuries
- NE Glisan St & NE 122nd Ave
- 0 fatalities
- 82 crashes
- 76 total injuries
- SE Division St & SE 112th Ave
- 2 fatalities
- 44 crashes
- 48 total injuries
Here are statistics inferred from the Top 10 most dangerous intersections:
- Average crashes per intersection: 73.3.
- Average injuries per intersection: 70.8.
- Intersections with at least one fatality: 6 out of 10 (60%)
Additional High-Risk Intersections (Ranked 11-20)
- SE Holgate Blvd & SE 92nd Ave
- SE Holgate Blvd & SE McLoughlin Blvd
- SE Powell Blvd & SE 174th Ave
- SE Powell Blvd & SE 92nd Ave
- NE Glisan St & NE 82nd Ave
- SE Powell Blvd & SE 122nd Ave
- NE Victoria Ave & NE Weidler St
- SE Powell Blvd & SE 112th Ave
- SE Powell Blvd & SE 136th Ave
High-Risk Streets and Intersections in Portland
Certain streets in Portland appear repeatedly in crash data, highlighting specific corridors as high-risk areas for traffic accidents. By examining the most frequently mentioned streets and intersections, we can identify patterns that may help improve road safety.
Most Frequently Mentioned Streets
Some streets have multiple high-crash intersections, indicating that they are particularly hazardous throughout their length:
- SE Powell Blvd – 7 intersections
- SE Holgate Blvd – 4 intersections
- NE Glisan St – 4 intersections
- SE Stark St – 3 intersections
- NE Sandy Blvd – 3 intersections
- SE Division St – 3 intersections
Additionally, two freeway ramps are included in the list:
- SE Powell Blvd & I-84 Freeway Ramp
- SE Powell Blvd & I-205 Freeway Ramp
Most Critical Intersections by Mentions
Some intersections appear multiple times in the top-ranked crash locations, making them particularly concerning:
- SE 122nd Ave – 4 intersections within the Top 10
- NE 82nd Ave – 3 intersections within the Top 20
- SE 148th Ave – 2 intersections within the Top 10
More than half of the high-crash intersections (16 out of 30) are located in Southeast Portland (SE), suggesting a higher concentration of traffic incidents in this area. Northeast Portland (NE) is also heavily represented, with multiple intersections along Glisan St, Halsey St, and Sandy Blvd.
Patterns in High-Risk Roads
The presence of multiple high-crash intersections along major roads such as Powell Blvd, Division St, Stark St, and Glisan St suggests that these are key corridors where safety improvements may be needed.
Additionally, SE 122nd Ave and NE 82nd Ave stand out as particularly dangerous north-south routes, appearing multiple times in the rankings.
Fatality and Injury Rates
- Approximately 1.38% of crashes at these intersections result in fatalities.
- Nearly 98% of crashes result in at least one injury, reinforcing the severity of collisions in these areas.
Understanding these patterns is crucial for implementing targeted safety measures and reducing the number of serious crashes in Portland.
Traffic Fatalities in Portland
Traffic-related deaths in Portland follow distinct patterns, highlighting specific risks for pedestrians and cyclists. Understanding where and how these fatal crashes occur is essential for improving road safety measures.
Overall Fatalities
- 67% of traffic deaths in the last five years occurred on Portland’s 30 deadliest streets and intersections.
Pedestrian Fatalities and Injuries
Certain areas in Portland are significantly more dangerous for pedestrians, with East Portland experiencing nearly twice the number of pedestrian deaths per capita compared to the rest of the city.
- 70% of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries occur when a driver traveling straight strikes a pedestrian crossing the street.
- 20% result from drivers turning into pedestrians:
- 14% from left-turning drivers.
- 6% from right-turning drivers.
- 51% of pedestrian crashes occurred in areas with traffic signals, while 49% occurred in areas without them.
Pedestrians face the highest risk in Portland’s transportation network. Although only 5.7% of Portlanders primarily walk to work, pedestrians accounted for 40% of all traffic-related deaths from 2018 to 2022.
Additional risk factors include:
- 71% of all pedestrian crashes occur at intersections, with 44% happening at signalized intersections.
- 20% of pedestrian crashes are caused by left-turning drivers failing to yield at signalized crosswalks.
- 25% of pedestrian crashes occur mid-block, often due to long distances between marked crossings.
- 49% of all pedestrian crashes happen in low-light conditions, emphasizing the need for improved street lighting and visibility measures.
Bicyclist Fatalities and Injuries
Cyclists in Portland also face substantial risks when navigating the city’s streets.
- 53% of cyclist fatalities and serious injuries occur when a driver traveling straight strikes a cyclist crossing the street.
- 45% result from drivers turning into cyclists:
- 25% from right-turning drivers.
- 20% from left-turning drivers.
Why Being Informed Matters
Understanding Portland’s High Crash Network gives residents, city planners, and drivers the insight needed to make safer choices on the road. By identifying where severe crashes most often occur, Portland should and can prioritize safety improvements and better protect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike.
Awareness is the first step toward prevention, and every Portlander plays a role in reducing the risks on our city’s most dangerous streets. If you’ve been in a crash in Portland, you need an advocates! Call us today.