PPB to Participate in Safety Belt and Child Seat Awareness Campaign (Photo)

May 24, 2023 14:01

Portland Police Traffic Officers will join other law enforcement officers from around the state in educating the public regarding safety belt and child seat laws.

From May 22, 2023, to June 4, 2023, Traffic Officers will conduct enforcement missions using federally funded overtime to help increase awareness on this important issue.

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) crash data from 2020 highlights the lack of safety-belt, or child restraint in 100 of the 311 (30 percent) motor vehicle occupant fatalities in Oregon.

Nationwide, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages one through 12 years old. Also, it is estimated that car and booster seats may increase crash survival for infants and toddlers and booster seats may reduce the chance of nonfatal injury in children.
In 2017 an Oregon law was passed requiring children to ride in a rear-facing safety seat until they are at least two years old. In addition, a child over age two must continue to ride in a car seat with a harness or in a booster until they reach age eight or 4’9” in height and the adult belt fits them correctly.

For help selecting or installing child car seats, consult the manufacturer’s instructions, you vehicle owner’s manual, or visit a local child seat fitting station listed at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#inspection-inspection or at http://oregonimpact.org/child passenger safety.

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