Oregon’s Seat Belt Law

Oregon’s seat belt law (ORS 811.210) requires children to be restrained as follows:

• Rear-facing until a minimum of 2-years-old
• Forward-facing safety seat with harness until forty (40) pounds and have reached the upper limit for their forward-facing car seat
• Booster seat in conjunction with the seat belt until the age of 8 or over four feet nine inches (4’9”) tall, and an adult set belt fits correctly

It is important to remember that for all occupants of a vehicle, Oregon Law dictates the seat belt or safety seat must be used PROPERLY. The best resource for learning the proper use of the seat belts in your vehicle is your owner’s manual. The best resource for learning the proper use of your child safety seat is the instruction manual provided by the manufacturer. If you do not have the instruction manual for your child safety seat, manuals can be obtained from the seat manufacturer.

For the purpose of general traffic enforcement action, each Lincoln City Police Department Officer is qualified to determine if a safety seat is being used properly.

Best Practices

You should avoid using any child safety seat in the following circumstances:

• The seat has been involved in a vehicle collision
• The seat is missing or has damaged straps
• The frame of the seat is discolored
• The seat is expired (6 to 10 years)
• Your child exceeds the weight limit for the seat
• The seat does not properly fit in your vehicle
• If you do not know the history of the seat
• Never use after-market attachments with a car seat
• Never use a booster seat without full lap and shoulder belts in place.

The best location for a child seat in any vehicle is in the middle of the back seat. For mini-vans the best location is in the middle of the first bench behind the front seats (middle row). The key is to position the child as close to the center of the vehicle as possible. This helps protect the child in side impact collisions. Children should never be placed in a front seat position. Child Safety Seats should never be placed in a position with an air bag system.

Federal law mandates child seat manufacturers to test their products before selling them to the public. The seats are continuously tested after being placed on the market. As a result of this testing and consumer input, recalls are common in the child safety seat industry. To better protect your child, it is important to register your child seat with the manufacturer. Should a recall be placed on your product, the manufacturer will notify you. Recalls usually require you to modify your use of the seat or perform minor alterations to the seat in the removal or addition of a part. The manufacturer provides these parts and instructions at no charge. These recalls rarely indicate for the seat to be returned or otherwise discarded. It is a good habit to visit the manufacturer’s website prior to using any seat and check for recall information.

Many people purchase additional attachments for safety seats such as belt tighteners, entertainment systems, and comfort inserts. It is important to remember that such devices are not tested or approved for use with child seats. Therefore these items should not be used when a vehicle is in motion. Only use attachments that have been provided with the seat by the manufacturer.

Lincoln City Police Department encourages expectant parents to obtain a new seat prior to childbirth. It is our intent that you will have the seat properly installed in time for that first car ride home.

Checking Your Seat

Each time you secure your child in a safety seat you should verify the following:

Rear-facing safety seats (including infant carriers)

• The back of the seat is at a 45-degree angle.
• The shoulder straps are secured at or below the child’s shoulders.
• The seat moves less than 1” from side to side.
• The carrying handle is positioned according to the instruction manual.
• The straps are adjusted to a snug fit. This can change depending on your child’s clothing so always check. You should only be able to fit two fingers under the shoulder straps when adjusted properly.
• All the straps are clean and lay flat.
• Do not use after market devices in conjunction with a safety seat.
• Infant carriers should always be double checked to verify they are properly seated in the base unit.
• The clip that holds the shoulder straps together should be even with the child’s armpits.
• The safety seat is not in the path of any vehicle air bags.

Forward-facing safety seats

• Your child’s head is below the top of the seat.
• The straps are adjusted to a snug fit. This can change depending on your child’s clothing so always check. You should only be able to fit two fingers under the shoulder straps when adjusted properly.
• The seat does not move more than 1” inch an any direction.
• All the straps are clean and lay flat.
• The shoulder straps are secured at or above your child’s shoulders.
• Do not use after market devices in conjunction with a safety seat.
• The clip that holds the shoulder straps together should be even with the child’s armpits.
• Do not rely on your child to secure themselves in a safety seat!

Booster Seats (high back)

• The top of the seat is above your child’s ear level.
• The vehicle seat belt is routed properly.
• The vehicle seat belt is snug and operating as designed.
• Do not use after market devices in conjunction with a safety seat.
• The lap portion of the belt is across the child’s legs, not stomach.
• The shoulder belt portion is across the child’s chest, not neck or face.
• Never use booster seats with a lap belt only!

Booster Seats (no back)

• The vehicle seat belt is routed properly.
• The vehicle seat belt is snug and operating as designed.
• The seat is facing the proper direction.
• Do not use after market devices in conjunction with a safety seat.
• The lap portion of the belt is across the child’s legs and not the stomach.
• The shoulder belt portion is across the child’s chest and not the neck or face.
• Never use booster seats with a lap belt only!

Frequently Asked Questions