The North Bend Police Department, along with other agencies in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia, is spreading the word about the top three factors in deadly crashes during a safety blitz through Sept. 21.

In Oregon, the leading factors in fatal traffic crashes are excessive speed, driving under the influence and failure to use seat belts, a North Bend Police Department press release said. Oregon is ranked third among U.S. states for highest safety belt usage. However, while 95 percent of drivers and passengers use seat belts, the remaining 5 percent constitute nearly half of traffic fatalities in the state.

During the Three Flags Campaign, police also will focus extra effort on appropriate child passenger restraints, car seats and booster seats.

Three Flags, named for the two states and Canadian province involved, uses periodic enforcement blitzes and public information campaigns to promote proper use of safety restraints, to deter speeding and driving under the influence of intoxicants.

All occupants 16 years old and older are responsible to buckle up and adult passengers must properly restrain children under 16 in seat belts or child safety seats. According to Oregon law, proper use of safety restraints means using both parts of a lap and shoulder belt system, that only one person use a system at a time, and that the shoulder belt is not placed behind the back or under an arm. Any of these situations places the passenger or driver at sever risk of injury.

Children weighing less than 40 pounds must be restrained in child seats, and heavier youngsters must use booster seats until they are 8 years old and at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.

For more information, visit http:// www.childsafetyseat.org or www.buckleupamerica.org.