Did You Know...

06-07-07 The month of June will be a very busy for everyone here in Vernonia. This past weekend our community hosted a bicycle event, the KUPL Fishing Derby/Concert will be here on the 16th, the Cycle Oregon Event will be the 22nd to the 24th, and of course school will be letting out for summer break on June 15th. Not only does this mean there will be lots of fund things to do this month but we will have lots more people in our small community in vehicles, on motorcycles, on bicycles, and of course on foot. Please use extra caution and be patient when you are out and about. There will most likely be delays for comuters and more children out during the daytime hours. Traffic safety and voluntary compliance with traffic laws is very important to the VPD. Once again as part of the traffic safety grant the VPD receives, we participated in the the 3-Flags Blitz from May 21st to June 3rd. You may have seen or heard the nation-wide ad campaign "Click It or Ticket". As part of the blitz VPD officers offered enhanced patrols and remained vigilant to traffic violations. By now, everyone knows that seatbelt and child safety seats are mandated by law in Oregon and Washington. In 2005 Oregon ranked 5th nationally for seatbelt use at 93.3% and in 2006 we jumped to 3rd at 94.1%. Here in Vernonia in a survey of 100 vehicles Vernonia had a 90% usage rate prior to the blitz and a 95% usage rate on June 3rd. Over the last two years Vernonia has averaged around 90% to 94% usage. Even though everyone knows that safety belts can increase survival chances in many accidents, there are still people who choose not to where them. One of the major reasons stated for not wearing a safety belt is that they are uncomfortable. The VPD has a free safety belt comfort tip guide at the front window of the police station. The guide offers tips to properly buckle your safety belt and suggestions to make it more comfortable. A quick review of Oregon safety belt law shows the following: all vehicle operators and passengers be secured with safety belt or harness, all children under 4yrs OR weighing less than 40lbs be in child seat, children over 4yrs OR weighing more than 40lbs in booster seat until they are 6yrs AND weigh at least 60lbs, though it is not law in Oregon it is recommended that children 12yrs or under ride in rear seating positions. Oregon law prohibits minors under the age of 18yrs from riding in the open bed of a pickup truck unless traveling in the scope of employment or between hunting camps.