A joint campaign between the Pacific Northwest’s two largest cities–Portland and Seattle–is using humor to send an important safety message. “Slow the flock down” is a colorful, tongue-in-cheek message designed to encourage people to slow down when driving.
Launching the campaign concurrently is intended to increase the message’s visibility throughout the region as the two Vision Zero cities continue to tackle their shared goal of traffic safety.
Nationally, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, speeding is involved in about 30 percent of all traffic deaths. In Portland, speed is identified as a major factor in half of deadly crashes.
To achieve safe speeds, Portland is redesigning streets, lowering speed limits, expanding its speed safety camera program and educating drivers. Early evaluations of changes on NE 102nd Ave. and NE Glisan St. indicate that these efforts are working. Safe travel speeds lower the risk of crashes occurring. When crashes do occur, safe speeds make it less likely that people are killed or seriously injured.
The birds featured on Portland’s version are Oregon’s state bird, the Western Meadowlark. Expect to see it on social media and billboards along the city’s high crash corridors.
PBOT will also distribute yard signs at public events this summer and make them available for pickup at The Portland Building downtown and through neighborhood coalitions across the city. Yard sign pickup dates and locations at portland.gov/transportation/vision-zero/flock.
