If you’re a long-time local resident, you probably know some of the most dangerous roads in Portland just from driving around. Car wrecks on Northeast Marine Drive can cause major traffic tie-ups, as can collisions on Southeast Powell Boulevard and Lombard Street. There are also serious dangers for anyone who needs to get on I-5 or I-205, which is to be expected on major interstate highways.
Attorney Rob Kline and his team would like to list some of the most dangerous roads and intersections in the Portland area, and note a few reasons why crashes happen in these places.
If you’ve been in a crash and need to speak with an experienced car wreck attorney near you, contact our Portland law firm today. Consultations are free.
Portland’s High Crash Network
The City of Portland identified 30 of the most dangerous streets and intersections from 2020 to 2024. This is known as Portland’s High Crash Network.
While these 30 dangerous roads account for 8% of all the city’s streets, 67% of all traffic fatalities occurred in the High Crash Network.
What Are the Most Dangerous Streets in Portland?
Here are the 10 most dangerous roads in Portland based on High Crash Network data from 2017 to 2021:
- Northeast Marine Drive: Locals know just how dangerous NE Marine Drive can be. There were 16 fatalities along NE Marine Drive, including four pedestrian deaths. As reported by KOIN CBS 6, there was a fatal motorcycle crash along NE Marine Drive in August of this year.
- Southeast Powell Boulevard (U.S. Highway 26): There were 14 fatalities along SE Powell Boulevard, including four pedestrian deaths. In May of this year, KGW NBC 8 News reported that two deadly crashes occurred along Powell Boulevard just 12 hours apart.
- Lombard Street: There were 13 fatalities along Lombard Street, including three pedestrian deaths. In October, KPTV Fox 12 reported on an accident on Lombard Street that sent a pedestrian to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
- 122nd Avenue: There were 11 fatalities along 122nd Avenue, including five pedestrian deaths. In early August, KPTV Fox 12 reported on a fatal pedestrian accident at E 122nd Ave and SE Ash Street.
- Northeast Columbia Boulevard: There were nine fatalities along NE Columbia Boulevard, including three pedestrian deaths. KATU ABC 2 reported on a fatal pedestrian accident along NE Columbia Boulevard in late August.
- Sandy Boulevard: There were nine fatalities along Sandy Boulevard, including three pedestrian deaths. KATU ABC 2 reported on a road rage crash with an ambulance along Sandy Boulevard in April of this year.
- Southeast Division Street: There were nine fatalities along SE Division, including five pedestrian deaths. KPTV Fox 12 reported on a fatal car wreck in November of this year that may have been the result of street racing.
- Southeast Stark Street: There were nine fatalities along SE Stark Street, including six pedestrian deaths. KOIN CBS 6 reported on a two-vehicle crash in October of this year, which sent one of the drivers to the hospital.
- Northeast Halsey Street: There were eight fatalities along NE Halsey Street, including four pedestrian deaths. KPTV Fox 12 reported on a fatal pedestrian accident in October of this year.
- Burnside Street: There were seven fatalities along Burnside Street, including four pedestrian deaths and one cyclist fatality. KGW NBC 8 News reported on a bicyclist collision with a Portland Police Bureau vehicle in September of this year.
What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Portland?
Here are the 10 most dangerous intersections in Portland based on High Crash Network data from 2017 to 2021:
- SE Division Street and 122nd Avenue
- SE Foster Road and I-205 freeway ramp
- NE Glisan Street and I-205 freeway ramp
- NE Halsey Street and 122nd Avenue
- SE Powell Boulevard and 148th Avenue
- E Burnside Street and SE 82nd Avenue
- NE Glisan Street and 102nd Avenue
- SE Holgate Boulevard and 92nd Avenue
- SE Powell Boulevard and 82nd Avenue
- NE Glisan Street and 82nd Avenue
Dangerous Interstates and Highways Around Portland
In addition to the various roads and intersections around Portland, many serious car wrecks occur on the interstates around the city. The high speeds, congestion, and presence of tractor-trailers can make these interstates especially dangerous for local drivers.
Interstate 5
If you’ve ever had to drive on I-5, its dangers are no surprise. Heavy traffic, speeding, the prevalence of 18-wheelers, and the dangers of getting on and off I-5 cause numerous collisions every year.
According to a report in The Zebra, I-5 is the third most dangerous highway in the country. There were 186 fatalities along I-5 during 2019, meaning 13.47 deaths for every 100 miles.
Interstate 205
Plenty of people commute into Portland from Vancouver, WA along I-205, which makes it prone to plenty of car crashes.
According to a 2020 report from The Oregonian, the Glenn Jackson Bridge connecting Portland to Vancouver was one of America’s worst accident hotspots in 2019. At least 124 accidents occurred on that stretch of I-205 that year alone.
Interstate 84
There are plenty of dangers to deal with along I-84 even when heading out of the Portland area. The traffic and congestion around Portland lead to numerous hazards for commuters. These dangers are increased due to poor weather.
Fox 13 Seattle reported on a serious multi-vehicle crash near Multnomah Falls in February, just 25 miles east of Portland. Whiteout conditions caused a massive 20 to 30 car pileup.
What Makes These Portland Roads and Highways So Dangerous?
Numerous factors can make local roadways and highways dangerous for motorists. The City of Portland identified these five factors as the leading causes of local traffic fatalities.:
- Excessive Speed: Speeding doesn’t just mean going over the speed limit. It also refers to drivers going too fast to safely maneuver existing road conditions.
- Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII), such as drugs or alcohol, can impair decision-making skills and reaction times. Drivers in DUII accident can be held liable for hurting others.
- Poor Lighting: The majority of pedestrian-related fatal accidents occurred at night or in low-light conditions. In some cases, these kinds of accidents may be related to broken streetlights or obstructed views of pedestrians at crosswalks.
- Large Vehicle Sizes: More people are driving larger pickups, SUVs, and vans. Larger vehicles can cause much more severe injuries than smaller commuter vehicles, even at low speeds.
- Wide Streets: Wide streets are non-highways with four or more lanes of traffic. There is often speeding on wide streets, and more hazards for cyclists and pedestrians to contend with while crossing these busy streets.
You’ll note that these key factors are a combination of driver error as well as issues with local road infrastructure.
Weather Conditions Make Local Roads More Dangerous
Portland’s weather can also play a role in local accidents. Rain and ice storms can leave roads slippery. When temperatures dip during the winter, there’s the potential for black ice and conditions that affect tire traction and vehicle stability.
Whenever it’s wet, rainy, or cold out, local drivers need to exercise greater caution, be mindful of their speed, and note other vehicles that are nearby.
Other Causes of Car Wrecks in Portland
In addition to the dangers cited above, here are a few other causes of motor vehicle accidents in the local area:
- Reckless Driving: Reckless driving covers all kinds of behaviors behind the wheel that endanger other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Examples of reckless driving include refusing to yield the right of way, tailgating, aggressive driving, and frequent lane changes.
- Texting and Distracted Driving: Distracted driving refers to any actions that remove a driver’s hands from the wheel and divert their eyes from the road. Texting while driving is among the most prevalent forms of distracted driving, though other examples include making a call without a hands-free kit, looking up directions, rubbernecking, and eating while driving.
- Driver Fatigue: Driver fatigue refers to drivers being drowsy or inattentive while they’re operating a vehicle. This is a potential cause of semi-truck accidents, especially on I-5 and I-84. Yet driver fatigue can also affect people in commuter vehicles, especially while driving at night.
Local Safety Improvements to Prevent Serious Car Wrecks
City officials have responded to various car wreck risk factors with a variety of safety measures. This includes guarded bike lanes, designated crosswalks, and different means of slowing down vehicles in a reasonable manner.
Earlier this year, KPTV Fox 12 reported on safety measures by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) to help drivers slow down and avoid aggressively overtaking others on Northeast Marine Drive.
Remember: Car Wrecks Can Happen Even When Conditions Are Safer
While local officials are hopeful about traffic improvement projects along Northeast Marine Drive, these projects have their limits. KPTV Fox 12 also reported late last year on numerous accidents still occurring along Northeast Glisan Street despite many precautions and safety measures by the city.
With this in mind, we want to stress that pedestrians should be careful about jaywalking (which is not legal in Oregon). Cyclists should be attentive while sharing roads in order to avoid major bicycle accidents. For any parents or guardians reading, teach your kids to be extra-cautious while crossing the street
What to Do After Getting Into a Car Wreck
If you or a loved one is involved in a serious car, pedestrian, or bicycle accident in the greater Portland area, consider taking these steps:
- Check yourself and passengers for injuries.
- Move out of the path of traffic if possible.
- Call 911 and wait for help to arrive. This will create an official police report of the accident.
- Take photos and video of the accident site, vehicle damage, and injuries if possible.
- Get the contact and insurance information of other parties involved in the crash.
- Get the contact info of any witnesses to the accident.
- See a doctor after the collision to check for any signs of injury. Even if you feel okay after an accident, see a doctor regardless, because some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
- Inform your insurance company of the accident. Provide the facts, but do not make any assessment of your potential fault regarding what happened.
- Speak with a local car accident lawyer here in Portland about your legal options.
How Attorney Rob Kline Can Help You Seek Compensation
Rob Kline has helped auto accident victims all over Portland for many years. By reaching out to him as soon as possible after a car wreck, he can determine if you have a case and start compiling evidence and conducting a thorough investigation.
There are many compelling reasons to work with Rob and his team after you’ve been in a major car accident:
- Legal Experience and Recognition: Rob brings more than 25 years of legal experience to every accident case he works on. In addition to his AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and his 10/10 rating through Avvo, Rob also served as President of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association (OTLA) from 2023 to 2024.
- He Knows Accident Cases from Both Sides of the Table: Rob began his legal career representing large corporations and insurance companies. He knows how these big entities think, and he can leverage this experience while negotiating a better settlement or representing you in court.
- Nuanced Understanding of State and Local Laws: Rob has an in-depth understanding of accident law. He authored the Oregon Pedestrian Law Guide 2.0 (part of The OTLA Automobile Litigation Deskbook series). He is also one of the lead authors on the wrongful death and survival actions chapter in Tort Law in Oregon (2024 Edition), published by the Oregon State Bar.
- Knowledge of How to Work with Young Accident Survivors: If your child was hurt in a car wreck, our law office is here to help/ Rob has worked on injury accident cases involving children. He knows that kids have unique concerns after an accident, and that what they’ve gone through could have lasting effects on their growth and development. He’ll work with your family with great sensitivity and care.
Get a Free Consultation at Our Portland Law Office
If you’ve been in a crash on one of Portland’s dangerous roads, you can count on Rob Kline and his team to fight for you. We have the knowledge to negotiate from a place of strength, the attention to detail that helps build convincing cases, and the integrity to see your case all the way through.
To request a free consultation with our experienced car wreck lawyer in Portland, OR, contact our law office today. You can also call Rob and his team at (503) 224-6246.
