Police agencies across Oregon are participating in a two-week traffic safety campaign focused on proper seat belt use.
State law requires that children under 40 pounds use a car seat. Last year, more than a third of children killed or injured in Oregon crashes were not wearing a safety restraint or were not riding in the right car seat for their size.
Multnomah County Sheriff’s spokesman Lieutenant Steve Alexander says kids are much safer in car seats.
“Child car seats reduce the likelihood of infants to be killed in a crash by 71 percent, and the risk of toddlers aged one to four by 54 percent," Alexander said.
The latest numbers show Oregon leading the nation for safety belt use. According to the state Department of Transportation, 98 percent of Oregonians routinely buckle up. The nationwide average is 87 percent.
The campaign runs through February 22nd.
Copyright 2015 Oregon Public Broadcasting
