PORTLAND — Preliminary numbers for 2013 from the Oregon Department of Transportation show 317 traffic fatalities last year in the state.
The Oregonian reports that’s down 6 percent from the year before and matches 2010 as the lowest number since 1943.
Bicyclist deaths dropped from 10 in 2012 to five last year. Portland saw zero bike deaths.
The number of motorcyclists killed in traffic dropped from 48 to 33. Pedestrian deaths declined from 60 to 54.
Oregon began tracking traffic deaths in 1936. In 1943, with war-time gas rationing, there were 233 traffic deaths. The worst year was 1972 with 737 deaths on Oregon roads.
