Portland traffic deaths in 2024 may soon outpace last year's record-breaking total

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – As days get shorter and the weather gets slicker, traffic deaths could outpace last year's record.

So far in 2024, Portland police say 66 people have died from traffic violence — just shy of the record-breaking 69 traffic deaths recorded by the city last year and nearly double the number recorded in 2018.

December is Impaired Driving Awareness Month, and safety advocates say that's because the month typically sees a spike in intoxicated driving thanks to the holidays.

Coupled with darker and more dangerous road conditions, they urge everyone to do their part to ensure holiday libations don't lead to more lives lost.

"Nobody thinks it could happen to their family, until it does,” said Dennis Maughan, the PNW executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Within the past four days, a three-person crash and a separate rollover crash during a street takeover event have killed four people on Portland's streets. Police reported alcohol was a factor in at least three of those four deaths.

“It only takes you a couple minutes to figure out an alternative plan. You know, designated driver, rideshare,” Maughan said. “There's no excuse. There literally is no excuse.”

However, the Portland Bureau of Transportation has reported a smaller number of traffic deaths this year, as they don't count medical emergencies, suicides, homicides or other factors resulting in a loss of life behind the wheel.

"We have fewer traffic deaths than we did at this time a year ago,” PBOT spokesperson Dylan Rivera said. “But 53 is still 53 too many, and each of those fatalities represents a person."

Last year’s deadly crash report shared that 77% of crashes happened in low light, 56% involved excessive speeds, and nearly half were due to impaired driving.

"You have impaired driving, increased speed, reduction in the use of seat belts,” Maughan said. “It's a horrible combination, and of course law enforcement can only do so much."

But that's where experts say personal responsibility comes in.

“If you are the driver and you kill someone...your life and the lives of the people that you ruined are forever,” Maughan said.