Beginning Monday, law enforcement across Oregon will intensify their efforts not only to identify unbuckled drivers but also to ensure children in car seats are securely strapped in. Motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death for children aged one to twelve across the nation.
In 2023, Oregon reported that 1,972 children under twelve were injured in traffic accidents, with 11 percent not utilizing a child restraint system. Research indicates that car seats can boost survival rates in crashes by 71% for infants under one year and by as much as 59% for toddlers aged one to four. For children aged four to eight, using booster seats can reduce the risk of nonfatal injuries by 45% compared to relying solely on seat belts.
Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) for 2023 reveals that inadequate use of safety belts or child restraints played a role in 30% of the 365 motor vehicle occupant fatalities in Oregon, totaling 111 cases.
In response to these alarming statistics, Oregon enacted a law in 2017 mandating that children remain in rear-facing safety seats until they are at least two years old. Children over two must continue to use a car seat with a harness or a booster seat until they reach the age of eight or a height of 4’9”, ensuring that the adult seat belt fits them correctly.
The 2017 legislation, which extended the rear-facing requirement from age one to age two, aims to better protect children’s heads, necks, and spines from potential injuries during accidents. Rear-facing seats distribute crash forces evenly across the child’s body while minimizing forward and sideways movement of the head, enhancing overall safety.
