Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety
Since passage of Oregon’s adult safety belt law in 1990, a significant increase has occurred in the use of occupant protection devices throughout the state. In 2011, safety belt usage by all drivers and passengers combined was 96.6%, making Oregon the second highest state for safety belt usage in the nation.
Motor vehicle occupant injury remains, however, the leading cause of injury-related death among children. An average of 25 child occupants ages 14 and under die in motor vehicle crashes each year in Oregon. In addition, an estimated 162 child occupants in this age group are hospitalized with non-fatal injuries.
To find a child safety seat check up event in Oregon, please visit the Child Safety Seat Resource Center at ACTS Oregon.
Safe Kids Facts and Research
Motor Vehicle Safety Facts (Pdf)
In And Around Vehicle Safety Facts (Pdf)
Car Seats, Booster Seats, and Seat Belts Facts (Pdf)
Safe Kids Checkup Events: A National Study (Pdf)
Resources
Beat the Heat Check the Back Seat
Safe Kids USA Website on Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety
Safety Belt Safe Booster Alternatives
Child Passenger Safety and Native American Tribes (Pdf) – Presentation from SK Oregon 2010 Regional Training
Child Passenger Safety Resource Guide 2012 – Children’s Safety Network
Oregon Law
Safety Belts – All motor vehicle operators and passengers musst be properly secured with a safety belt or safety harness, unless all safety-belt equipped seating positions are occuppied by other persons.
Child Restraints - Children must be restrained in an approved child safety seat until they weigh 40 pounds. Infants must ride rear-facing until they are one year of age and over 20 pounds. Child passengers over 40 pounds or who reach the upper weight limit of their car seat’s harness system, must be restrained in a booser seat until they are 4’9″ tall or 8 years of age.
Pick-Up Trucks – Children under 18 years of age prohibited from riding in the open bed of a pick-up truck.
Cell Phone and Text Messaging – Prohibits texting and use of handheld cell phones for all drivers with the exception of police, emergency responders and drivers in emergency situations. Novice drivers are prohibited form all cell ohone use.