Emergency Speed Limit Change Under Consideration in Portland

"Portland is set to declare a safety emergency on outer Southeast Division Street and unilaterally reduce speed limit after a spate of traffic deaths," writes  Elliot Njus for the Oregonian. The area is the most dangerous in the city, "Five people died in traffic crashes on outer Division Street in 2016, a year that saw 44 traffic fatalities citywide, the most since 2003," writes Njus.

The issue had already sparked a protest in December. To get the speed limit changed, the city would normally need permission from the state as well as a study to research the effect of such a change. But in order to do something about the problem now, the city is readying a short-term, 120-day emergency change. What will happen when that period ends, remains unclear.