TILLAMOOK, Ore. — The Tillamook Police Department plans to participate in the Oregon Safety Belt Overtime program. It is a statewide program that seeks to reduce the number of motor vehicle-related deaths.
Beginning Monday, January 29 through Sunday, February 11, Tillamook Police, along with law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon, will be participating in the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Safety Belt Overtime Enforcement Program. Law enforcement agencies will be using federally funded overtime to educate the public about safety belt and child seat laws including a law passed in 2017 increasing safety for children under age two.
According to 2021 data from the Oregon Department of Transportation, the lack of safety belt or child restraint use was a factor in 32% or 119 of a total of 377 motor vehicle occupant fatalities.
“Motor vehicle crashes are the leading nationwide cause of death for children ages one through twelve years old,” ODOT said. “In 2021, 1,475 children under twelve were injured in Oregon traffic crashes, and 16 percent were reported not using a child restraint system.” ODOT data shows fatalities with a lack of safety belt or child restraint use.
Everyone buckle up every time and stay safe.
