Investing in Child Safety: How Car Manufacturers Are Making a Difference
Tragically, incidents involving defenseless children being left in overheated vehicles remain all too common, prompting the urgent need for public service reminders. According to the safety organization Kids and Car, an average of 37 children lose their lives in hot cars each year.
Shockingly, by the end of 2021, the distressing number of minors who had already perished in overheated vehicles reached 25. Additionally, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that thousands of beloved pets suffer the same fate annually. Such statistics serve as a somber reminder of the critical importance of raising awareness and implementing preventive measures to safeguard the lives of innocent children and animals in these vulnerable situations.
How Legislators Are Getting In On The Fight
In a concerted effort to prevent tragic incidents involving child fatalities in vehicles, Representatives Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Peter King (R-N.Y.), and Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) have introduced a bill in the House. This proposed legislation aims to mandate the inclusion of specific technologies in new vehicles that would alert drivers if a child is inadvertently left in the rear seat. Notably, the bill was successfully passed through the Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee last year in July, reflecting a significant step forward in prioritizing child safety within the automotive industry.
“You get a warning when you leave the keys in the car. You should get a warning if you leave a child in the car,” Schakowsky said. “It’s time for action, and the language in this draft would be a great step forward. Children are dying preventable deaths – we cannot afford to wait.”
How Car Manufacturers Are Taking Actionable Steps
The automotive industry has taken significant strides in enhancing the child safety of vehicles. A commendable example is Nissan, which, as early as 2018, incorporated a rear seat reminder system in its Nissan Pathfinder SUV. Notably, this ingenious system was developed by two female engineers who are also mothers themselves, underscoring the importance of personal experience in driving innovation.
The Rear Door System detects whether both rear doors have been opened and closed before commencing the journey but have not been reopened upon reaching the destination. In such instances, the system promptly alerts the driver. The initial notification appears on the instrument panel, and if necessary, a sequence of horn honks further emphasizes the alert.
Similarly, GMC was a pioneer in implementing a rear-seat alert system in 2017. This system actively notifies drivers if an object has been placed in the rear seat. It activates when the SUV’s rear door has been opened and closed within ten minutes of starting the vehicle or while the engine is running. Once the vehicle is turned off, five chimes sound, accompanied by a message displayed in the driver information center stating “Rear Seat Reminder/Look in Rear Seat.”
Furthermore, General Motors has extended the adoption of this technology across its wide range of GMC, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick models, including their sports cars. These comprehensive alerts aim not only to safeguard young passengers but also to protect pets from being left in dangerously hot vehicles. This commitment to prioritizing safety highlights the automotive industry’s dedication to creating vehicles that provide a secure and nurturing environment for all occupants.
Driver’s Auto Mart
One effective approach to contribute to the protection of children is to consider investing in car manufacturers, such as those mentioned earlier, who are actively integrating these advanced safety technologies into their vehicles. Thankfully, Driver’s Auto Mart is the place to go, as we have a comprehensive range of vehicles from popular brands. While these cars are pre-owned, they are incredibly up-to-date and already filled with a slew of different safety technologies.
Those who are interested in any of our vehicles can simply view our online used car inventory and chat with a representative for further assistance.
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