Oregon City Drivers Be Aware: Safety Belt Blitz is Coming

The Oregon City Police Department wants drivers in the city to be aware: a safety belt blitz is coming. The enforcement effort will run from February 6 - February 19.

It's part of a statewide operation the department says is meant to "emphasize the importance of proper safety belt use, distracted driving, and driving appropriate speeds."

"Buckle up before operating your vehicle," the department said in a statement.

According to the the United States Department of Transportation: motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause nationwide of death for children ages one through twelve years old. Child 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.

The Oregon Department of Transportation says that state law requires children one-year-old and younger and/or under 20 pounds must be in a rear-facing child seat.

A child up to 40 pounds to must be in a child seat with harness.

A child more than 40 pounds must use either a child seat or booster until they reach age eight or 4' 9" tall and the adult belt fits them correctly.

ODOT says that if you are unsure whether your child is ready to transition to an adult belt system, use the easy five-step test here: http://www.carseat.org/Boosters/630.htm.