Oregon police plan seat belt, child safety seat enforcement blitz

Oregon law enforcement agencies will be out with the improving weather, May 16 – 29 , in a campaign aimed at using the proper restraint systems. They’ll also be looking for speed violators and drivers using handheld cell phones.

The “Click It or Ticket” blitz , funded by grants from ODOT’s Transportation Safety Division, reminds travelers of the importance of 1) Buckling up on every trip; 2) Paying attention to the task at hand and 3) Following the rules of the road – just before the summer traveling season begins.

Why? Because some deaths in crashes may be preventable, simply by wearing a safety belt. In 2014 in Oregon, 40 percent of all occupant fatalities were unbuckled (61 people confirmed not wearing restraints; 34 unknown).

For child passengers, it’s especially important to buckle up – and to use the right restraint system for the child’s age and size. Last year in Oregon, 13 passengers under age 12 injured in crashes weren’t using any kind of restraint system at all.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 1 – 12 years old. Child car seats may increase crash survival by 71 percent for infants under one year old and by up to 59 percent for toddlers ages 1 – 4.

Booster seats may reduce the chance of nonfatal injury among four to eight year olds by 45 percent compared to safety belts used alone. Be sure to use child safety seats correctly (see your manufacturer’s guidebook, or visit a safety seat check station ).

Oregon law requires children less than forty pounds be restrained in a child seat. Children under one year or weighing less than twenty pounds must be restrained in a rear-facing child seat. A child over forty pounds must be restrained in either a child seat or a booster seat appropriate for their size until they reach age eight or 4′ 9″ tall AND the adult belt system fits them correctly.

Various agencies around the region are making their participation in the enforcement blitz known separately.

For example, the Prineville Police Department said Monday it is joining other Oregon Law Enforcement agencies in the statewide safety belt and child car seat traffic enforcement “blitz’ from May 16 th through May 29 th .

This enhanced enforcement is provided through overtime funding from the Oregon Department of Transportation and the USDOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

This enforcement focuses on proper use of Safety belts and Child Seats. Officers will also be looking for Minors riding in Open Pickup Beds, Cell Phone use and Speed violations.

Properly using safety belts, the appropriate child car seat and driving at a safe speed, saves lives.

The Prineville Police Department encourages everyone to drive safely!