Kids Cars and Safety

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U.S. Nontraffic Child Fatalities by State
These data VASTLY underestimate the true magnitude of this public health and safety issue.

Fast facts about safer cars for kids
Far too regularly, small children are injured and killed when family members accidentally back over them. Neighbors too. Why? Huge blind spots hide children running or playing near cars and trucks. Other children have been hurt by dangerous power windows or run over when a car's brake suddenly shifts out of gear. Inexpensive technologies and more consumer awareness can help us avoid these tragedies and save lives. Find out more about what's going on with Fast Facts.

Quick links to all related Consumer Reports articles
The area behind your vehicle can be a killing zone and children are injured in the family car in other ways as well. Consumer Reports has measured the blind spots and reviewed rear view devices and power windows. Click here for a quick index to our findings.

Update on The Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007
A proposal to stop backover incidents now has 27 co-sponsors in the House and 28 co-sponsors in the Senate. A key committee in the Senate voted the bill out on May 16th and it must soon go to the Senate floor for a vote. Is your lawmaker a sponsor or co-sponsor of this good proposal? Check here!

What does the bill do?
Your Senators will soon vote on a bill to make power windows safer, increase visibility behind cars and SUVs, and prevent cars from rolling away. Learn the details from Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety!

CU Pushes For Safer Automobiles
Every other day a child—often a toddler— dies from being inadvertently backed over because a driver cannot see what is behind their vehicle. The testimony focuses on blind zones, LATCH car-seat installation system, power window switches, and brake-shift interlock.

Learn more about car safety by visiting Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, health and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America's roads safer. Advocates encourages the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that save lives and reduce injuries. By joining its resources with others, Advocates helps build coalitions to increase participation of a wide array of groups in public policy initiatives which advance highway and auto safety.

CDC's report on nonfatal motor-vehicle related backover injuries among children
In its recent study, the Federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that during 2001--2003, an estimated 7,475 children (2,492 per year) aged 1--14 years were treated for nonfatal MV backover injuries in U.S. hospital emergency departments (EDs). The CDC’s report which underscores the seriousness of the problem and the need for action to prevent children from being injured and killed in vehicle backover incidents.

Updates

Advocates & victims celebrate law to protect children around motor vehicles
Awards to be presented to members of Congress for their leadership

Tips for keeping our families safe
Families, parents, and neighbors can help keep kids safe in and around vehicles now. KIDS AND CARS.org has some important recommendations.

Endorsing Organizations
A broad coalition of national and grassroots groups support the Cameron Gulbransen Kids and Cars Safety Act. Find out more about them.

Senate Hearing--Testimony on vehicle safety for children
What do the experts say about making cars safer for kids? Check the testimony from the recent Senate hearing. Be sure and click on the link to each person who testified to find their written material.

Do you have a comment about making cars safer?
Have you experienced an unsafe car? Do you have ideas for reform? Consumers Union hosts the "Consumer Scribbler," a blog where you can post your thoughts. Take a look at our June 1 post about Oprah's show and the proposed legislation. Then join the discussion!

Groups applaud Senate vote to stop auto injuries
Legislation sponsored by Senators Clinton and Sununu clears committee hurdle.

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