With Vision Zero Resolution, City Councilor Wants Portland to Renew Traffic Safety Vows

Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane will introduce a resolution next week to reaffirm Portland's Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities. In 2024, the city recorded 58 traffic deaths, a decrease from 69 in 2023 but still higher than previous years. Koyama Lane considers these fatalities policy failures and advocates for a coordinated approach across various city bureaus. Her proposed task force would include staff from Public Works and Public Safety, with quarterly reports to the City Council. The previous task force, established after the 2015 Vision Zero resolution, was disbanded in 2021 and Koyama Lane aims to revive collaborative efforts.

She believes a unified approach is necessary, as traffic safety spans multiple city departments. Koyama Lane's commitment is also personal; her experiences as a teacher and resident highlight the urgency of addressing traffic violence. Recent tragedies in her community reinforce her call for sustained attention to traffic safety, ensuring families can feel secure on Portland's streets.