PORTLAND, OR – On this first weekday after the end of Daylight Saving Time, Portland’s Bureau of Transportation is advising caution.
Darkness later in the mornings and earlier in the evenings bring a sharp rise in traffic danger. PBOT’s Dylan Rivera says both drivers and pedestrians frequently overestimating visibility when it’s dark.
“Slow down. Use caution,” Rivera said. “Take extra care to look out for people (and) walking, especially. Know that these dark conditions present a challenge to all of us.”
City records show pedestrian crashes average over 23 a month now through March, compared to roughly 17 a month during spring and summer.
“We believe that darkness and lack of visibility are some of they key factors,” Rivera said.
Rivera adds that conditions become even worse when steady rain is combined with the darkness and says if you’re walking, don’t assume you can be easily seen.
