Its Been 10 Years Since Portland Adopted Vision Zero. Whats Changed?

Portland City Council voted unanimously to reaffirm its commitment to the Vision Zero program, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities on city streets. Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane emphasized the importance of maintaining the goal of zero deaths, despite a decade of fatalities, including 58 traffic-related deaths in 2024. This marked a decrease from 69 deaths in the previous year, but it remains significantly higher than the target. Koyama Lane's resolution calls for the formation of a cross-bureau task force to enhance collaboration among various city departments in efforts to improve traffic safety. Councilor Sameer Kanal remarked on the responsibility of city leaders in allowing traffic fatalities to persist, describing it as a form of political violence.

Transportation advocates like Zachary Lauritzen have stressed that achieving Vision Zero requires substantial political leadership and financial investment. The resolution serves as a symbolic reaffirmation of the city's traffic safety goals, but it emphasizes the need for real action and cross-bureau collaboration. The program, since its inception in 2015, has primarily been managed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation, highlighting the necessity for broader involvement.