Oregon law enforcement agencies will be conducting a safety belt enforcement “blitz” from August 21 to September 3, 2023.
“We will use federally funded overtime to educate the public about safety belt and child seat laws including a law passed in 2017 increasing safety for children under age two,” stated a Crook County Sheriff’s Office media release. ODOT crash data for 2021 shows lack of safety belt or child restraint use was a factor in 32% or 119 of a total 377 motor vehicle occupant fatalities.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading nationwide cause of death for children ages one through twelve years old. In 2021, 1,475 children under twelve were injured in Oregon traffic crashes, 16 percent were reported not using a child restraint system. It is estimated that car seats may increase crash survival by 71% for infants under one year old and by up to 59% for toddlers aged one to four. Booster seats may reduce the chance of nonfatal injury among four to eight year olds by 45% compared to safety belts used alone.
In Crook County, if you are in need of a car seat you can contact the Pregnancy Resource Center at 541-447-2420 or if you need help installing or want your car seat checked for proper installation, contact Crook County Fire and Rescue at 541-447-5011.
