The Lake Oswego Police Traffic Unit and the Emanuel Trauma Nurses Talk Tough Program have teamed together to provide a safety belt diversion class for people who receive citations for not wearing a safety belt. Lake Oswego and many surrounding municipal courts in the state of Oregon have approved the seat belt diversion program class.

First time offenders who are cited for not wearing their safety belts are given the option of attending the Seat Belt Diversion Program class or paying the $94 fine. The fine is suspended by paying $20 to attend the Seat Belt Diversion Program for two hours. Also, the safety belt charge will not appear on their driving record.

The class instruction includes a trauma nurse who gives a slide presentation with photos of crash scenes and inside the emergency/trauma unit of the hospital. The intent by this program is to give participants a better understanding of the functions of the safety belt and air bag systems in their vehicles.

Most parents who have attended the class choose to use their safety belt. Many parents have used this class as a learning tool before they, themselves, have to deal with a citation. Educating offenders so they choose to wear a safety belt will save many lives.

For more information on this program contact Joanne Fairchild, Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center, 2801 North Gantenbein Ave., Portland, OR 97227. Telephone; 503-413-4960, or email at jmfairch@lhs.org.