Icy roads delay police safety 'blitz'

Click on the video icon above to watch a video about child car seat safety

EUGENE, Ore. -- Slow down. Wear your seat belt. And don't drive drunk -- or high on drugs.

Those three suggestions add up to the best ways to reduce and avoid traffic injuries and fatalities. And while police are always on the lookout for violators, officers in Eugene and elsewhere in Oregon are stepping it up starting Tuesday in an enforcement escalation dubbed a "Traffic Safety Blitz."

The effort starts a day later than planned due to the icy conditions during Monday morning's commute.

The Eugene Police Department is tapping into federal funds for overtime through the 3-Flags Campaign to fund the blitz.

From Tuesday, Feb. 10, through Feb. 22, police plan to use plainclothed officers to spot motorists who are not complying with Oregon's mandatory seatbelt law.

Most Oregonians wear their seatbelts. Eugene police say Oregon has a 96 percent compliance rate statewide, contributing to a more than 40 percent drop in fatalities and injuries since 1990.

But the law not only dictates that safety belts shall be worn, but that they are worn in the manner they were intended. Wearing a shoulder belt under your arm is against the law and can result in being issued a citation.

Child safety seats

The Traffic Enforcement Unit also wants to remind motorists of 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 over one year 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 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.

Additionally, the Traffic Enforcement Unit is available 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 (541) 682-5157 to make an appointment.