As students head back to school for the fall, Portland-area drivers should pay extra attention to these vulnerable road users.
You can best protect yourself and those around you by learning the risks and traffic rules and knowing how to get legal help if you’re involved in a car crash.
Why Back-to-School Traffic Can Cause More Car Accidents
The return to school means more people on the road during peak commute times. This can lead to back-to-school car accidents because:
- Drivers must share the road with slow-moving school buses.
- Parents may be distracted while navigating school drop-offs.
- Children can act unpredictably when not properly supervised.
In particular, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) reports that collisions are more common from 3 to 7 p.m., when students are heading home once school lets out or their after-school activities end.
High-Risk Areas for Car Accidents During Portland’s Back-to-School Season
One of the most important things drivers in Portland should know is that practically everywhere in the city becomes a high-risk area once school is back in session.
According to PBOT, the city is home to over 120 elementary, middle, and high schools. The average Portland driver will pass either a school or a route commonly used by students every half mile.
So if you’re traveling through a residential area, you’re likely near a school zone and should drive accordingly.
Drivers should also be aware of ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects near schools, including:
- Traffic calming on NE Shaver (115th to 122nd Ave) in the Parkrose neighborhood
- Crossing improvement and lighting on SE 112th Avenue & SE Boise in the Lents and Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhoods
- Multi-use pathway on NE 106th Avenue (to NE San Rafael Street) in the Parkrose Heights neighborhood
- Sidewalk on NE Shaver (102nd-115th Ave) in the Parkrose neighborhood
- Crosswalks and lighting on SE 52nd Avenue & Franklin
- Traffic calming on SE 92nd Avenue in the Lents and Montavilla neighborhoods
- Crossing and walkway on SE Holgate Blvd & SE 128th Avenue in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood
Portland School-Zone Rules Drivers Should Know
Here are a few important school zone rules that all drivers in Portland should be aware of:
- School zone speed limits – ORS 811.111 establishes a 20 mph speed limit in school zones when a flashing warning light is on or between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on days when school is in session. It also sets a 20 mph speed limit around school zone crosswalks where children are present or when a flashing light warns of the crosswalk.
- Stopping at crosswalks – Under ORS 811.015, drivers must stop and remain stopped when a crossing guard signals that children may cross the street. ORS 811.017 also requires them to yield to crossing guards standing in the road to direct students. Even outside dedicated school crossing zones, ORS 811.028 requires drivers to stop for pedestrians legally crossing the road within a crosswalk and remain stopped until the pedestrian has finished crossing.
A driver who injured someone in a school zone because they violated these traffic laws may be held liable for the victim’s losses.
What to Do After a Back-to-School Car Accident
Here are a few simple steps to take if you’re ever in a car accident in a Portland school zone:
- Remain at the scene and contact the police.
- Get contact info from involved parties and witnesses.
- Document the scene with photos and videos.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible.
- Report the incident to your insurance provider promptly.
Then, contact an Oregon car accident lawyer at Rizk Law for a free consultation about your case.
When to Speak with a Portland Car Accident Lawyer
The best time to speak with a Portland car accident attorney is as soon after a crash as possible.
Your attorney can work quickly to preserve vital evidence and take legal action before it’s too late.
For over 25 years, Rizk Law has been dedicated to serving our neighbors in Portland and throughout Oregon. We bring our extensive experience working with local courts, adjusters, and judges, along with our insider knowledge of Oregon insurance company tactics, to every personal injury claim we handle.
Those efforts have resulted in millions in compensation recovered for injured Oregonians, including a $1.25 million trial award after a commercial motorist hit a pedestrian.*
Here’s what one client said about us:
“The team of attorneys and staff at Rizk Law are sharp, caring, & extremely effective of executing successful strategies for personal injury cases. Their work speaks for itself.”
– Hewitt Pagenstecher
Contact Rizk Law today to get started with a free consultation.
*Each case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
