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Last week, WW wrote about three of the 34 people who have died in Portland traffic this year ("Killed by Cars," WW, July 31, 2019). To improve safety, the city has spent more than $47 million in the past two years on improving safety at "high crash" intersections and on roads. But the task is proving difficult. The number of traffic deaths in the first six months of 2019 equals the number for all of last year. Here's what readers had to say.
Martin Crommie, via Facebook: "Would be nice if someone was out there to stop the Mad Maxes that seem to think the road is for them alone."
John Retzlaff, via wweek.com: "When Vision Zero in Portland is about being anti-car and not about pro-safety, then this is what you get. Road diets do not improve safety, half the lanes and the same amount of traffic is not safe."
Frosti11icus, via reddit: "My dad always told me, 'Just assume a vehicle won't stop for you because if you're wrong you'll die.'"
Rudi Van Desarzio, via wweek.com: "You can blame pedestrians and cyclists all you want, but that's not how the law is written and never has been. It is your responsibility as a driver to have control of your vehicle such that you do not run into people and kill them. That's the bottom line. If it means you have to drive 5 mph and that riding a bike or taking the bus is actually faster, so be it. Driving around in your single occupancy vehicle at 15 mph above the speed limit is not a 'right.'"
Nick Sauvie, via wweek.com: "The fact that the majority of these deaths occur in outer Southeast Portland is a result of decades of insufficient transportation investment. Vision Zero and road diets are steps in the right direction."
MorningBite, via wweek.com: "Right or wrong, pedestrians and people on bikes need to act defensively. I see it too often where people don't pay attention."
Harley Leiber, via wweek.com: "East of 82nd, everyone who is bipedal should wear an orange reflective vest."
Awwc, via reddit: "As someone who is one degree away from TWO people who have killed a pedestrian while driving in the last 18 months, this article strikes home. While I know most people here mean well by sharing their experiences with transportation issues, let me say this one thing: Please never ever drive while intoxicated. Ever."
CORRECTION
A July 24 story on opioid prescriptions incorrectly stated the county where the Rinehart Clinic is located. It is in Tillamook County, not Wheeler County. WW regrets the error.
