Released: July 18, 2006

Preventing kids’ backover deaths

Source: By Jayne O'Donnell and Sharon Silke Carty, USA Today

Susan Auriemma was backing her Volvo SUV out of her driveway last year when she heard cries from behind her car. It was her toddler daughter, who was supposed to be in the house.
“I came out of the car, and she was crying, ‘Mommy, Mommy, you hit me with your car,’ “ Auriemma says of her daughter Kate, then 3.

“The guilt was so overwhelming and immediate,” she says.

Despite the horror, Auriemma was one of the lucky ones. Kate left the hospital with only scratches and bruises. Since 1994, at least 500 children have died from being backed over, and the safety group Kids and Cars estimates two are killed a week.

Auriemma has joined the ranks of safety advocates who want to reduce backover injuries and deaths. But while that goal is shared by many, there’s disagreement about how best to reach it.

Some advocates are pushing for rear-view cameras with video screens in all cars and trucks. But others question the effectiveness of cameras and prefer to focus on education.

Legislation pending in Congress would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to set a standard for rear visibility that all vehicles must meet. Larger rear-view mirrors, rear sensors that sound a warning beep or cameras are among the options.

Read Full Article: Preventing kids’ backover deaths