Oregon Police Crack Down on Seatbelt Violations: A Call for Safer Roads

Portland, Oregon | August 16, 2025

Oregon Law Enforcement Launches Statewide Seatbelt and Child Safety Seat Enforcement Campaign

From August 18 through August 31, 2025, law enforcement agencies across Oregon will participate in a federally funded safety belt enforcement campaign aimed at educating the public on the life-saving importance of seatbelt and child safety seat use. The campaign, spearheaded by the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), comes ahead of Child Passenger Safety Week, scheduled for September 21–27, 2025.

Buckle Up: A Simple Step That Saves Lives

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that among the 23,959 passenger vehicle occupant deaths in the U.S. in 2023, nearly 50% were not wearing seatbelts. In Oregon specifically, 30%—or 111 out of 365—motor vehicle occupant fatalities involved lack of seatbelt or child restraint use, according to the 2023 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

Under ORS 811.210, failing to properly use a seatbelt or child safety restraint is classified as a Class D traffic violation. However, the consequences can extend far beyond a citation—often resulting in preventable serious injuries or even death.

At Pacific Injury Law Firm, we often see the devastating outcomes that can follow from car accidents where proper restraints were not used. Victims injured due to another driver’s negligence may have legal recourse through personal injury claims or car accident injury claims.

Child Passenger Safety: Oregon Law Raises the Standard

Oregon strengthened its child restraint laws in 2017 to improve protection for the youngest passengers. The law requires:

• Children must ride in a rear-facing car seat until at least age two.
• After age two, children must continue to use a car seat with a harness or a booster seat until they are eight years old or reach 4 feet 9 inches in height.

These rules are designed to protect infants' and toddlers’ still-developing bones and internal organs, especially their head, neck, and spine, which are exceptionally vulnerable in a crash.

According to 2023 Oregon crash data:

• 1,972 children under age 12 were injured in traffic accidents.
• Approximately 11% were not using any kind of child restraint system.

Properly installed car seats can:

• Increase crash survival by 71% for infants under one.
• Improve outcomes by up to 59% for toddlers aged one to four.
• Reduce the risk of nonfatal injury by 45% for children aged four to eight when using booster seats compared to seatbelts alone.

Free Child Passenger Safety Clinics and Resources

In support of this initiative, the Portland Police Bureau will host a child safety seat clinic on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the PPB Traffic Division. Parents can have their car seats inspected and installed by Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians, ensuring compliance with Oregon’s latest standards.

Appointments for the safety clinic can be made through OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital (opens in a new tab) (time and space are limited).

Additionally, PPB and OHSU recently collaborated on an instructional video demonstrating how to correctly secure children in various types of car seats.

Legal Implications and Parental Responsibility

Oregon drivers transporting children have a legal and moral responsibility to follow child restraint laws. Failure to do so not only puts children at unnecessary risk but may also result in liability in the event of a crash. If a child is injured due to the negligence of another motorist—or because a caregiver failed to properly secure the child—multiple legal claims may arise.

In cases involving serious injury or fatality, families may have grounds for wrongful death or personal injury claims, depending on the circumstances. These legal pathways can help secure compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

A Community Effort Toward Safer Roads

The Portland Police Bureau urges all Oregonians to participate in this public safety effort. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, this campaign is an opportunity to ensure that you are up to date with Oregon’s child passenger safety laws and that your vehicle is equipped to protect your most precious cargo.

For more information about your legal rights following a motor vehicle accident or injury, or for help navigating the aftermath of a collision involving children, contact Pacific Injury Law Firm for a free consultation. Our team is here to help you understand your options and protect your rights.

Call us at 971-277-3811 or visit our website to learn more.

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Sources:

• Portland Police Bureau (opens in a new tab)