Cameras Offline Since July
PORTLAND, Ore. — Drivers in Portland may have noticed a lack of flashing lights on the city’s roads recently. Since the end of July, all 32 of Portland’s speed enforcement cameras have been switched off, leaving the city without one of its most effective traffic safety tools.
According to the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), the shutdown is part of a planned system overhaul. The cameras are being replaced as the city transitions to a new vendor.
New Cameras Coming This Fall
PBOT spokesperson Hannah Schafer confirmed that the upgrade project will not be complete until November. Once finished, Portland will not only have its current cameras back online but also three new ones installed at high-risk intersections:
Also Read
-
Southeast Powell Boulevard and 34th Avenue
-
Northeast 82nd Avenue and Fremont Street
-
Northeast 82nd Avenue and Klickitat Street
Officials say the additions are part of the city’s broader effort to expand automated enforcement in areas where speeding has been a persistent safety issue.
Proven Safety Benefits
Since Portland first introduced speed cameras in 2016, they have had a measurable impact. PBOT reports an 88% reduction in drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 mph at camera-monitored locations.
Despite those gains, traffic fatalities in the city remain a concern. Last year, 58 people were killed in crashes on Portland streets. While that number is down from 69 in 2023, both figures remain well above pre-pandemic averages. City leaders have pledged to reduce those deaths to zero through the Vision Zero program, launched a decade ago.
Financial Impact of the Shutdown
The cameras are not just a safety measure—they also contribute to the city’s revenue. In 2023 and 2024, fines and fees collected through speed camera enforcement brought in more than $1.4 million. During the same period, the system cost about $470,000 to operate, leaving the city with nearly $1 million in net revenue, according to PBOT data.
With the cameras turned off for several months, both enforcement and revenue collection have been temporarily paused.
What It Means for Drivers
For now, drivers will not face automated citations for speeding, though Portland police still retain the ability to enforce speed limits through traditional patrols. Transportation officials stressed that the pause is temporary and necessary to modernize the system.
Once the upgrade is complete in November, officials expect the refreshed program to resume its role as a key component of the city’s traffic safety strategy.
Looking Ahead
The temporary absence of speed cameras raises questions about enforcement during the transition period, but PBOT maintains that the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term gap. With new cameras coming online and an upgraded system in place, Portland leaders hope to continue progress toward reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries.
