Tigard Police Focus On Seatbelts, Car Seats Through May

TIGARD, OR — Tigard police through the end of May will ramp up safety belt enforcement throughout the city as part of a statewide "traffic enforcement blitz," police officials announced Tuesday.

Using federal funds provided specifically to help local departments afford overtime for officers, the Tigard Police Department is joining Oregon State Police, the Washington County Sheriff's Office, and other local law enforcement agencies across the state to improve seatbelt and car seat law compliance during a two-week operation that runs from May 14 through May 27.

According to Tigard police spokesman Jim Wolf, the city's motorists have already "demonstrated 97 percent compliance regarding passenger vehicle seat belt usage for front-seated occupants."

"While these figures are encouraging, it should also be noted that the lack of seat belt usage was a major factor in half of all motor vehicle fatalities in Oregon during recent years," he added.

The national average for seatbelt compliance is just more than 80 percent, Wolf said.

"The two-week long effort will work to ensure motorists respect, obey and understand the importance of using seat belts and child safety seats when applicable," he explained. "Tigard Police officers will be focusing enforcement at various times and days throughout Tigard."

For more information on the Tigard Police Department or its enforcement missions, visit Tigard-OR.gov/Police.

Image via City of Tigard