A Law to Protect Kids Around Cars

Since 2000, more than 1,375 children have died in non-traffic incidents, with more than 230 fatalities in 2007 according to a group called Kids and Cars.   As there is a concerning rise of children being injured or worse by vehicles backing up, a new law called the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act is in the works to deal with “non-traffic” auto safety risks to children. The law is named for Cameron Gulbransen, a 2-year-old who died in 2002 after an SUV driven by his father backed over him.  The Act is made to protect children from being backed over, being strangled by a power window or being hurt when a car is accidentally put into gear and starts moving. There has never been a rear visibility standard for vehicles until now.  Back-over incidents now account for half of all non-traffic fatalities involving children and almost all the incidents happened on private property.

The law, also known as “Kids and Cars Act,” focuses on three auto safety issues: Rear visibility, Power windows, and Gearshifts.  Within three years the U.S. Department of Transportation must establish a standard to provide drivers with ways to detect a person, including a small child, behind a vehicle. This could be done with additional mirrors, sensor devices, cameras or other technology and may differ by vehicle. All vehicles must be in compliance within four years of the rule’s enactment. Presumably, automakers could meet whatever standard is developed either by changing vehicle design, adding technology such as cameras and sensors, or both. The DOT has 18 months to decide if power windows that automatically reverse direction if they hit an obstruction, including a child, are “reasonable, practicable and appropriate.” If so, DOT will have a year to develop a rule. If not, DOT will have to explain its decision to Congress. And by September 1, 2010, every car and truck sold in the United States must have a mechanism that prevents it from being shifted out of Park unless a foot is on the brake. This is designed to prevent children from accidentally putting a car into gear, causing it to roll. Rear cameras and back-up sensors are already optional on many new and used vehicles, so car shoppers should keep an eye out for them.