Safety Belt Overtime Safety Grant
Eugene Police focus on use of safety restraints and proper use of child safety seats
Starting on August 24, the Eugene Police Traffic Safety Unit will be participating in a statewide Safety Belt campaign. The campaign is a two-week, statewide selective traffic safety program that seeks to reduce the number of motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries by increasing public awareness about the use of safety restraints and proper use of child safety seats. While these goals are pursued year-round by many agencies, including Eugene Police Department and the Springfield Police Department, the campaign provides federal funding for overtime that allows officers statewide to join together for two-week periods of intensive, high-visibility enforcement and safety education.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts
Lack of or improper use of seatbelts continues to play a significant factor in the number of Oregon motor vehicle occupant deaths. The Traffic Safety Unit would like to remind motorists that seatbelts must be worn in the manner in which they are specifically designed in order to be in compliance with the law. Wearing a shoulder belt under your arm is against the law and can result in a citation.
It’s also important that motorists are familiar with current child safety seat laws. Infants are required to ride in rear-facing safety seats until they reach both two years of age AND twenty pounds. Children over two years old AND between 20 and 40 pounds must be properly secured with a forward-facing child safety seat. Children who weigh over 40 pounds must be properly secured in a booster seat until they are 4’9 in height. Children who are at least 8 years old or 4’9 tall may graduate to an adult safety belt, but only if it fits them properly.
This traffic safety message and operation supports the City of Eugene Vision Zero goal. Vision Zero is an approach to transportation safety that aims to eliminate deaths and life-changing injuries caused by traffic crashes.
Oregon Department of Transportation Seatbelts and Child Seats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFC2K2AfdJM
More ODOT information on safety belts and child seats at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TS/Pages/safetybelts.aspx