News Release: Traffic deaths decline for a second consecutive year, 38 percent below recent years, with significant improvement in East Portland

Not just numbers: This map shows the borders of council districts and the first names of victims in the approximate location of 2025 deadly crashes. The illustrated information is based on preliminary data and is subject to change. Source: Portland Police Bureau.

(March 5, 2026) In 2025, 39 people were killed in traffic crashes in Portland, a second consecutive year of declining deaths, marking a decisive return to pre-pandemic levels and a 38% decrease from the average of the previous four years.

Deaths in East Portland fell even more significantly -- by 56% -- over the same period. For the first time since 2018, East Portland recorded fewer than 20 traffic deaths - 11 in total.

The yearly total was a steep decline from the record 69 deaths in 2023, and the lowest total since 2018, when there were 35.

The figures were released today in the City of Portland's Portland 2025 Deadly Traffic Crash Report.

"The City of Portland is committed to Vision Zero, and I'm proud of the lifesaving progress we've made," said Mayor Wilson. "Even so, we cannot forget that 39 of our neighbors were lost last year to a fully preventable cause of death. I'm grateful for my Council colleagues and City personnel as we align and inspire people and resources across the city to reach the true goal of Vision Zero."

Following a resolution by the City Council last year, city staff have been devising strategies for bureaus across city government to make our streets safer.

The Portland Police Bureau has been a key partner with PBOT in traffic safety. Traffic investigations produce the data Portland relies on to understand where high crash rates are happening.

The Portland Police Bureau remains committed to supporting Vision Zero by focusing enforcement efforts on the behaviors most likely to result in serious injury or deadly crashes. The Traffic Division prioritizes traffic law enforcement strategies that address speeding, impaired driving, and other high-risk violations that put community members at risk. Much of this enforcement focuses on the High Crash Network throughout Portland.

Throughout the year, and particularly during select weekends and holidays, the Bureau partners with law enforcement agencies across the region to conduct high-visibility DUII enforcement missions. These coordinated efforts are designed to deter impaired driving and enhance public safety during peak travel periods. Notably, Portland did not record any DUII-related deadly crashes during peak holiday periods last year.

In 2025, the Traffic Division issued 7,546 citations and 1,396 warnings. Additionally, the team made 311 arrests - 222 of which were for DUII. These efforts reflect the Bureau's continued commitment to accountability, prevention, and collaborative action in pursuit of safer streets for everyone.

Traffic deaths by year and travel mode in Portland

In recent years, the number of traffic deaths among people in motor vehicles and pedestrians have both decreased. The term "pedestrians" in this table refers to people walking, using mobility devices, riding skateboards, or on e-scooters. Source: Oregon Department of Transportation (2021-2023), Portland Police Bureau (2024-2025).

Report shows deaths declining, with patterns emerging from recent years

It takes years for traffic safety trends to emerge. The 2025 deadly crash report shows some differences from prior years and also some patterns emerging in the years since the Covid-19 pandemic.

• People in motor vehicles: There were eight people in motor vehicles killed in traffic crashes, a 64% decrease from the previous year and 75% fewer than in 2023. This is the lowest number since 2014, when there were six deaths among people in motor vehicles.
• Pedestrians: 51% of people killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians in 2025. This was the third straight year of declining pedestrian deaths since the peak in 2022.
• Older adults: 2025 saw an increase in older adults killed in traffic crashes, with 33% of people killed in traffic crashes age 65 or older. This is more than double the percentage in the prior four years, which was between 10% and 14%.
• Youth: Only one of the 39 traffic crash victims was a youth (18 or younger), a dramatic shift from 2024 when they accounted for 12% of all traffic deaths.
• Experiencing houselessness: 20% of pedestrian deaths involved people experiencing houselessness, down from between 36% and 74% in the previous four years.
• Portland death rate lower than U.S. and Oregon: Portland's traffic death rate continues to remain lower than national and state figures. From the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 through 2023, death rates at all levels of government reached highs not seen since the early 2000s.

Traffic deaths dropped in District 1

In 2025, deaths in District 1 declined to the lowest number in at least four years. Source: PBOT analysis of Portland Police data.

Portland makes progress on Vision Zero

PBOT recently improved a crossing of SE 82nd Avenue at Ash Street, where crews installed median islands, striping, flashing beacons, a marked crosswalk and signage. PBOT added many features like this to 82nd Avenue, one of Portland's most dangerous high crash corridors, to reduce deadly and serious injury crashes. There were no deadly crashes on 82nd Avenue in 2025. Photo by PBOT.

PBOT updates the public on the city's Vision Zero work annually - what work we've done and what areas need more attention - through the annual Vision Zero Action Plan Progress Report. 

A few notable takeaways for 2025 from the report:

• Following state guidelines, the speed limit was reduced on 22 miles of streets in Portland, including SE 92nd Avenue, NE Fremont Street, N Mississippi Avenue, N Russell Street, and SW Vermont Street.
• PBOT and the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) worked with a new vendor to  upgrade  25 of the existing  speed and intersection safety cameras.
• PBOT completed an expansion of "no turn on red" traffic safety signage in the Northwest Pedestrian District upgrading 15 intersections.
• PBOT broke ground on multiple major projects along the High Crash Network, including Jade and Montavilla Multimodal Improvements, NE 60th Avenue and Halsey Street Area Improvement, NE Broadway Pave & Paint, NE Halsey Safety and Access to Transit, and Safer Outer Stark (Phase III).
• When transportation projects are expected to have a significant impact on driving behavior and safety outcomes, the Vision Zero team puts together an evaluation report to catalog the project results. PBOT released the SW Capitol Highway Complete Streetsand NW and SW Broadway Bike Improvementsproject evaluation report as well as updates to the SE Hawthorne Boulevardand the Outer Division Safetyproject evaluation reports with the most recent crash data.

Vision Zero Action Plan addendum

• The Vision Zero Action Plan Addendum 2026-27 serves as PBOT's roadmap to implement Vision Zero and will be in place until the Portland City Council adopts an updated citywide Vision Zero Action Plan.
• The addendum is an extension of the Portland Vision Zero Action Plan Update 2023-25, updating only the actions and performance measures. Most were carried over from the previous action plan, with edits, while others were removed or added.

For more information:

Visit the Vision Zero Portland website

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 3-1-1 or (503) 823-4000.

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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.