Vision Zero action plan seeks to eliminate traffic deaths by 2045
Portland has kicked off a new traffic safety project to make life safer for people who walk, bike, and drive through one of the city’s busiest corridors. The pilot project on Washington Avenue, running between Veranda Street and Ocean Avenue, introduces fresh roadway paint, traffic posts, and temporary speed bumps to slow down drivers and make crossings safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The temporary changes offer city officials and community partners the opportunity to test how the adjustments work before committing to permanent infrastructure.
Washington Avenue isn’t the only road getting attention. This project is part of a broader initiative led by the Greater Portland Council of Governments, which is rolling out similar safety pilots in neighboring communities. Crews recently installed temporary measures on Route 1 in Saco and Westbrook Street in South Portland. Those installations, along with Portland’s, will remain in place until Nov. 15 before winter weather forces their removal.
At least eight more projects are scheduled across the region over the next three years. The push reflects growing concern over the number of people injured or killed in car accidents. Between 2017 and 2021, Greater Portland saw 92 fatalities and more than 580 serious injuries. Although pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists made up only 4 percent of total crashes, they accounted for 40 percent of deaths.
Vision Zero and state support
To address these numbers, the council partnered with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the cities of Portland, Saco, and South Portland to develop the Vision Zero Greater Portland action plan. The long-term goal is bold: eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries in the region by 2045.
MaineDOT is backing the effort, providing support for local projects and rolling out its own initiatives, such as installing safety cameras along Interstate 95 and Interstate 295. State officials note that Maine’s traffic fatality rate is currently higher than the national average, stressing the need for urgent action.
For safety advocates, these projects represent more than simple cosmetic changes. “These projects are about more than paint and posts,” said Andrew Zarro, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. “They’re about protecting lives. Streets like Washington Avenue, Westbrook Street, and Main Street have long been in need of safer designs. Now we get to test real solutions in real time.”
If the pilots prove successful, they could pave the way for lasting infrastructure upgrades designed to slow drivers down, provide people on foot and bicycles with safer ways to navigate busy streets, and move Greater Portland closer to its Vision Zero goal.
What risks do pedestrians face on Washington Ave?
Pedestrians on Washington Avenue face a mix of risks that the city’s project is trying to address:
- Speeding traffic: When cars move faster than they should, the risk of serious injuries for pedestrians rises dramatically. Even small increases in speed make a difference.
- Risky driving behaviors: Distracted driving, sudden lane changes, and failing to yield at crosswalks create dangerous situations for people on foot, particularly along busy roadways.
- Limited crossing safety: Wide streets without clear markings, signals, or traffic-calming measures make crossing stressful and unsafe, especially for children, seniors, and those with mobility challenges.
- Lack of bike and pedestrian infrastructure: When sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes are missing or poorly designed, walkers and cyclists are forced to share space with cars, increasing the chances of conflict.
- Overall vulnerability: Pedestrians and cyclists face greater risks on roads designed primarily for vehicles. Without dedicated infrastructure and safer street design, they remain exposed to harm.
Safer streets matter, but negligent drivers still cause the most harm
Temporary traffic changes on Washington Avenue may slow some cars down, but they won’t stop careless drivers from putting lives at risk. Every day in Portland, people walking through crosswalks or waiting at corners are hit by drivers who aren’t paying attention, fail to yield, or speed through busy corridors. These crashes are not just accidents. They’re the result of someone making a dangerous choice behind the wheel.
It only takes one distracted, speeding, or aggressive driver to turn a routine walk into a medical emergency. In many cases, pedestrians are doing everything right: using the crosswalk, watching traffic, staying alert. But when a driver glances at a phone, rolls through a stop sign, or rushes to beat a light, that driver’s negligence becomes a life-changing event for the person on foot.
The pilot project may reduce risks in the long term, but it doesn’t help those who have already been affected. Victims are left with serious injuries, rising medical bills, and insurance companies trying to shift blame. That’s why it’s so important to hold negligent drivers accountable—not just for your recovery, but to send a message that unsafe driving has consequences.
If you were injured by a careless driver, the law is on your side, but you have to act quickly. The sooner you contact an attorney, the stronger your case will be. Preserving evidence, documenting the scene, and proving the driver’s fault takes legal skill and local knowledge. A successful claim can cover your expenses and force the at-fault driver’s insurance company to take responsibility.
Contact a Maine pedestrian accident lawyer
Jabar LaLiberty, LLC has spent decades standing up for injured pedestrians across Portland, Waterville, and throughout the state. Our attorneys know how to hold negligent drivers accountable and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Now is the time to take action. Evidence fades quickly, and insurance companies move fast to protect their own interests. Don’t give them the advantage. Contact us today to schedule your consultation. With offices in Portland and Waterville, we are ready to serve injured Mainers statewide and fight to secure justice on your behalf.
“It’s not just about the case. It’s about the person, and when the person is hurt, he’s very understanding about everything that goes on with it; the doctors, the surgery. Nobody could have done any better than Jason did. It was really a hard case; it involved a lot of depositions because the insurance companies didn’t want to pay. They wanted to say it was my fault or just a bad accident. And like I said, he never backed down.” — Actual client,⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐