DCSO release – DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – Beginning Monday, August 23 through Sunday, September 5, 2021, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon will use federally funded overtime to conduct enhanced enforcement patrols of safety belt and child restraint system laws. Oregon Department of Transportation crash data for 2018 shows lack of safety belt or child restraint use was a factor in 28% or 86 of a total 311 motor vehicle occupant fatalities. “The reduction of motor vehicle fatalities and the safety of all motorists is our priority during the enhanced patrols,” said Sgt. Mark Norris. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading nationwide cause of death for children ages one through twelve years old. In 2018, 1,845 children under twelve were injured in Oregon traffic crashes, 11 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 2017, an Oregon law was passed requiring children to ride in a rear-facing safety seat until they are at least two years old. A child over age two must continue to ride in a car seat with harness or in a booster until they reach age eight or 4’ 9” in height and the adult belt fits them correctly. Norris said the overtime patrols are funded with federal grant dollars administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation and enhance the number of deputies on patrol.
