Safety projects help, but accountability is what matters most
Pedestrian accidents are among the most dangerous roadway incidents in Maine, yet they often don’t receive the same attention as car crashes. Vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcycle riders, face risks every time they share space with larger vehicles.
Recent crash data shows just how serious the problem has become. From 2017 to 2021, Greater Portland recorded more than 580 serious injuries in traffic crashes. During that same period, 92 people were killed. Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists made up 40% of those fatalities, despite being involved in only a small fraction of all reported crashes.
What is Being Done To Address the Problem?
In response, officials have launched the Vision Zero Greater Portland plan, which sets an ambitious goal: to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2045. Temporary roadway redesigns, stricter enforcement, and community education are all part of the effort. These steps show progress, but they also highlight the immediate risks that remain on Maine’s roads. For those harmed in these preventable crashes, guidance from an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can be critical in holding negligent drivers accountable.
The reality is that until permanent changes are fully in place, negligent driving will continue to cause harm. Whether it’s a driver who speeds, fails to yield, or gets distracted behind the wheel, accountability rests with those who break the law, not with the crosswalk or the painted lines on the street.
Portland’s Temporary Safety Measures
On Washington Avenue in Portland, the city is testing new features to slow traffic and make crossings safer. Painted lines, traffic posts, and speed bumps are being used to evaluate how these quick, low-cost improvements affect pedestrian and cyclist safety. The plan is to monitor the results during the warmer months and remove the temporary measures before winter sets in.
This effort is not isolated. Similar projects were recently installed on Route 1 in Saco and Westbrook Street in South Portland. In total, eight additional projects are planned across Greater Portland in the next three years. Each one aims to identify which strategies most effectively improve safety before committing to costly permanent changes.
While encouraging, these measures are only temporary. Paint can fade, posts can be knocked down, and speed bumps can be removed. For pedestrians and cyclists, the risk remains every time a driver fails to follow the rules of the road. These pilot projects highlight that the burden of safety cannot fall solely on infrastructure. It also depends on drivers acting responsibly.
Temporary Fixes, Lasting Dangers
Vision Zero’s reliance on short-term projects underscores how much work remains to create truly safe streets. While temporary safety measures may calm traffic, they cannot eliminate the danger posed by negligent drivers. A motorist who speeds through a painted crosswalk or ignores a traffic post still places pedestrians in serious jeopardy.
The greater issue is that negligence is not seasonal, and it is not solved by temporary infrastructure. Reckless behaviors like drunk driving, texting behind the wheel, or failing to yield continue year-round. These actions are violations of traffic law and form the basis of legal claims when they cause injuries or fatalities.
For victims, the important takeaway is that even in areas with enhanced safety features, liability still attaches when drivers act carelessly. A safety project may reduce risk, but it does not shield a negligent driver from responsibility.
How Lawyers Connect Safety Initiatives to Legal Claims
Temporary projects and crash data don’t just inform city planning. They also provide evidence that can strengthen legal claims. When officials install new safety measures, they are effectively acknowledging that a road is dangerous. That acknowledgment can help establish foreseeability and demonstrate why drivers should exercise additional caution. Attorneys use several tools to connect roadway safety issues to negligence claims, including:
- Crash Data Analysis: Reviewing fatality and injury statistics to show risks were known and preventable.
- Expert Testimony: Using traffic engineers to explain how roadway design should influence safe driving behavior.
- Police and Inspection Reports: Highlighting citations and violations that document reckless or unsafe conduct.
- Comparative Examples: Showing that similar roads have been targeted for safety upgrades due to recognized hazards.
- Witness Accounts: Demonstrating that drivers failed to yield or ignored visible warnings in high-risk areas.
Each of these methods helps transform abstract safety concerns into clear evidence of negligence. For victims, this kind of detailed investigation can make the difference between a denied claim and a successful case. With professional legal support, those harmed in pedestrian or cyclist crashes can ensure their case is built on the strongest possible foundation.
Empowering the Next Generation to Make Safer Choices
While city officials work toward a future with zero traffic deaths, prevention must also start at the individual level, especially with young drivers. At the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein, we believe safety begins long before someone gets behind the wheel. That’s why we’ve spent over 20 years supporting Maine’s graduating seniors through our Arrive Alive Creative Contest.
Every spring, high school seniors across the state use their voices and creativity to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. Through essays, videos, artwork, songs, and more, students deliver one powerful message: “Stay Safe – Arrive Alive.” The contest not only encourages safe decision-making but also rewards participants with prizes like laptops and iPads. To date, we’ve awarded more than $200,000 in prizes and helped thousands of young Mainers think differently about driving safety
Vision Zero’s Promise vs. Today’s Reality
Ending traffic deaths by 2045 is an admirable goal, but it offers little comfort to someone hurt today. Pedestrians and cyclists remain at risk every time they cross the street, and no safety project can stop a reckless driver from making a dangerous choice.
Victims often face immediate burdens, such as medical bills, lost income, and lasting hardship. Families grieving a wrongful death carry an even heavier burden. That is why accountability matters now, not decades from now.
For over 50 years, the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein has fought for injured Mainers, recovering over $750 million in compensation. If you or someone you love was injured in an accident, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
"One of the best decisions I made after my accident was getting a lawyer. I worked with Tanna and Stephanie at the Portland office. They went above and beyond, holding my hand, setting expectations, keeping me updated, and getting me the best settlement possible. I highly recommend them!" - Jewels P., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
