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36 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, December 16, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 18, 2004 This billboard is popping up around the state to help promote proper safety belt use. It features Oregon State Police trooper Bill Matson, who works out of OSP�s Central Point office. Local trooper stars in ad campaign By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune Modeling was not in the job description, Oregon State Police trooper William Matson says. And while he might not have asked for the part, Matson now finds himself the new face of Oregon’s current safety belt campaign. Several billboards depicting a dead-serious Matson preparing to write a ticket are being set up along highways around the state. "I’ve been taking quite a ribbing from my peers," said Matson, who works out of OSP’s Southwest Regional Headquarters in Central Point. "They’ve got a new nickname for me," he said reluctantly. "They call me ‘Billboard Bill.’" Matson handles the teasing just fine, since he’s more than willing to help spread the word about the correct use of safety belts. A slogan included on the new billboards reads: "Half Buckled = Whole Ticket." Advertisement "We see a lot of people wearing them behind their shoulder, and others who wear the shoulder portion and not the lap part," Matson explained. "You have to wear everything that’s there. If you only wear half of it, it can really rip your guts out." Through Sept. 26, a federal grant will cover the costs of extra highway patrols in Oregon. It’s all part of the so-called "Three Flags Safety Belt Blitz", which also includes focused efforts from law enforcement agencies in Washington and British Columbia. "The message here is to buckle up," Matson said. "It’s been proven to save lives." Most Oregonians seem to be getting the message. Statewide, the number of motorists using safety belts has risen from about 73 percent in 1993 to more than 90 percent in 2003, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. Oregon’s safety-belt use rate ranks third in the nation, behind only Hawaii (95 percent) and Washington (94.3 percent), according to ODOT. The national average is about 79 percent. A law passed in Oregon in 1990 requires all adult motorists to wear safety belts. During the "Three Flags" campaign, officers are also continuing to enforce laws dealing with child-safety and booster seats. And don’t think for a second that police plan to ignore other violations during the safety blitz. "We’re going to be looking for speeders and impaired drivers as well," Matson said. "(Seat belt violations) are something we’re always looking for — We just make it an emphasis this time of year." Matson was chosen for the larger-than-life billboard position after he and a handful of troopers from other parts of the state were asked to pose for photos during a May seat-belt conference in Bend. Professional photographers used makeup on their prospective models and spent 20 to 30 minutes with each trooper. "I had never done anything like that before, and I have no idea why they picked me," Matson said, adding with a smile that his is "a face only a mother could love." Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Oregon safety belt laws All occupants of passenger vehicles are required to properly use safety belts. Both parts of a lap and shoulder belt must be worn together. One person per belt. Motorists cannot place the shoulder part of the belt behind their back or under their arm. Children younger than 4 or who weigh less than 40 pounds must be restrained in child seats. Children 4 and older who weigh more than 40 pounds must use booster seats until they turn 6 and weigh at least 60 pounds. In motor homes and pickup trucks, safety belts must be used where provided. Officials say motorists should be careful when carrying more passengers than available seat belts — an unbelted occupant is 25 times more likely to be ejected in a crash than one who is restrained. Source: Oregon Department of Transportation Safety belt use in Southern Oregon 1993 1998 2003 Jackson 64% 79% 87% Josephine 62 77 86 Klamath 75 80 88 Douglas 58 79 87 Statewide 73.1 82.1 90.4 Source: Oregon Department of Transportation Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities