Beginning Monday, February 11, and running through Sunday, February 24, the Eugene Police Traffic Enforcement Unit will be participating in a statewide traffic safety campaign called “3-Flags.” The 3-Flags Traffic Safety Campaign is a state-wide selective traffic enforcement program that seeks to reduce the number of motor vehicle-related deaths and injuries by increasing public awareness about the three most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crash injuries:
• failure to use or improper use of safety restraints
• speeding, and
• impaired drivers.
While these goals are pursued year-round by many agencies, the 3-Flags campaign provides federal funding for overtime that allows officers statewide to join together for two-week periods of intensive, high-visibility enforcement.
Lack of or improper use of seatbelts continues to play a significant factor in the number of Oregon motor vehicle occupant deaths. The Traffic Enforcement 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 one year of age AND twenty pounds. Children older than one year old AND between 20 and 40 pounds must be properly secured with a forward-facing child safety seat. Children who weigh more than 40 pounds must be properly secured in a booster seat until they are 8-years-old OR 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. Properly fitting would mean the lap belt is on the hip or upper thigh area while the shoulder strap runs across the chest and middle of the collar bone. The belt should not be near the child’s neck.
Additionally, the Eugene Police Traffic Enforcement Unit would like to assist motorists with the proper installation of child safety seats. If you would like to receive assistance with the proper installation of your child safety seats, please call the Eugene Police Traffic Enforcement Unit at 682-5157 to make an appointment.