Hot Car Act

[dish rag]

Law makers want to pass a law requiring car manufacturers to install a device to remind the driver, usually a parent that their child is in the back seat. How could someone forget their child is in the back seat and why should car manufactures be required to remind them. Well as we know people do forget. About as silly as having to tell people eye drops are not for oral use but for the eyes and other similar precautions. Sometimes you just have to wonder what in the world is going on with people.

 

[CarolAnn856]

It would be relatively simple, since there are already weight sensors in front passenger seats to warn against young children riding there. I don't mind paying a miniscule amount more to save a child's or a dog's life.

 

[dish rag]

It would be relatively simple, since there are already weight sensors in front passenger seats to warn against young children riding there. I don't mind paying a miniscule amount more to save a child's or a dog's life.

Where do we draw the line on passing laws so people don't harm themselves or others. How difficult is it to think and remember your child in the back seat. Or how to properly take medicine and so forth. What about the people who don't want to pay to remind a parent that not long ago their child was put in the back seat.

 

[Klayfish]

I think it's silly too, but as PP said it's not going to be all that hard to install another warning light on the dash, using sensors already in the car. So whatever. I also think it's silly people need "lane keep" assist or brake assist, but that's just me.

 

[kimblebee]

I think it's silly too, but as PP said it's not going to be all that hard to install another warning light on the dash, using sensors already in the car. So whatever. I also think it's silly people need "lane keep" assist or brake assist, but that's just me.

Those commercials drive me crazy. If you need a car to automatically brake for you because you're distracted, you shouldn't be driving in the first place. To me, all that stuff makes it easier for the text and drivers.

 

[MamaBelle4]

Those commercials drive me crazy. If you need a car to automatically break for you because you're distracted, you shouldn't be driving in the first place. To me, all that stuff makes it easier for the text and drivers.

I hate those commercials because often, braking is hardly the best solution. You can change lanes/swerve to avoid rear ending someone and being rear ended.

As far as kids in cars, yeah, I'm okay with the sensor. Look, I don't think it should be necessary, but if it could prevent a toddler or baby from dying a horrific, unimaginable death, then fine. Please do it. It isn't about protecting neglectful or forgetful people from themselves, it is about protecting their children from their forgetful or neglectful ways.

 

[CarolAnn856]

Where do we draw the line on passing laws so people don't harm themselves or others. How difficult is it to think and remember your child in the back seat. Or how to properly take medicine and so forth. What about the people who don't want to pay to remind a parent that not long ago their child was put in the back seat.

I draw my line pretty far past multiple children suffering horribly and dying. Regulations on adding a few extra slats in the sides of cribs so babies can't get their heads stuck and laws on how long children have to be in carseats are also well before my line is drawn.

 

[gemini2727]

Law makers want to pass a law requiring car manufacturers to install a device to remind the driver, usually a parent that their child is in the back seat. How could someone forget their child is in the back seat and why should car manufactures be required to remind them. Well as we know people do forget. About as silly as having to tell people eye drops are not for oral use but for the eyes and other similar precautions. Sometimes you just have to wonder what in the world is going on with people.

It happens time and again, and to good, caring parents, especially when they share the responsibility of dropping off the child at daycare, for instance.
If you think it could never happen to you, that is what everyone thinks, yet it happens every year.
Children are better protected when we understand it can, and does, tragically happen to good parents who make a horrible mistake.

 

[Daniela Rose]

Chevy has one starting 2018 models. If it senses weight in the backseat it chimes when you get out.

It's scary how many accidents there are when children are left in the back.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Just took a quick peek at some statistics.

An average of 38 children die in hot cars each year.

From 2011-2015 forty seven police K9s died in hot cars.

I don't know what the statistics are on regular pets.

I can't imagine there are too many deaths that involve more suffering than that.

I'd probably be in favor of it.

 

[okeydokey]

This is a fantstic idea and I would gladly pay for this technology. I can't imagine fighting against a simple fix to prevent a horrible death of a child.

 

[dish rag]

I draw my line pretty far past multiple children suffering horribly and dying. Regulations on adding a few extra slats in the sides of cribs so babies can't get their heads stuck and laws on how long children have to be in carseats are also well before my line is drawn.

A safe crib is different than forgetting that ones child is in the back seat. I just can't understand how someone could be so neglectful. And why does it seem so prevalent now.

 

[dish rag]

It happens time and again, and to good, caring parents, especially when they share the responsibility of dropping off the child at daycare, for instance.
If you think it could never happen to you, that is what everyone thinks, yet it happens every year.
Children are better protected when we understand it can, and does, tragically happen to good parents who make a horrible mistake.

I don't see how it can happen. It never even came close to happening to me and I know I have much more going on than most people. I'm not sure a good parent would forget and leave their child behind. Thankfully it doesn't happen often but it's something that should never happen.

 

[gemini2727]

I don't see how it can happen. It never even came close to happening to me and I know I have much more going on than most people. I'm not sure a good parent would forget and leave their child behind. Thankfully it doesn't happen often but it's something that should never happen.

I'm assuming you've never read accounts of parents, (yes, loving, caring parents) to whom this has happened.
It's heartbreaking. Just because it never happened to you doesn't mean it can't happen, that's very dangerous thinking.
It can happen to anyone, and every parent with small children needs to be aware of that, so it can be better prevented.

 

[Wendy31]

I don't see how it can happen. It never even came close to happening to me and I know I have much more going on than most people. I'm not sure a good parent would forget and leave their child behind. Thankfully it doesn't happen often but it's something that should never happen.

But, sadly, it *does* happen. And, if we can put an extra alert in our vehicles that will help save children's (& pets') lives, that's wonderful.

I once read a fascinating & thought-provoking article (I actually think it was linked here on the DIS in a previous "child dying in a hot car" thread) about the statistics & what leads seemingly good & caring parents to ultimately forget a child in the backseat.

I agree w/ the following 2 posts:

It happens time and again, and to good, caring parents, especially when they share the responsibility of dropping off the child at daycare, for instance.

If you think it could never happen to you, that is what everyone thinks, yet it happens every year.
Children are better protected when we understand it can, and does, tragically happen to good parents who make a horrible mistake.

I'm assuming you've never read accounts of parents, (yes, loving, caring parents) to whom this has happened.

It's heartbreaking. Just because it never happened to you doesn't mean it can't happen, that's very dangerous thinking.
It can happen to anyone, and every parent with small children needs to be aware of that, so it can be better prevented.

I never came close to leaving any of my children in the backseat either, but I'm not so perfect as to think it never could have happened. W/ our DD, my morning routine included taking her to daycare - and her daycare was at the same place where I worked, so I was never "out of routine" w/ her. I quit work when our older DS was born & didn't have a daily routine.

Just the other day, I was driving my parents & my kids to dinner. Originally, we were going to a local pizza restaurant, but, once everyone was in the van, we decided on a different restaurant. However, subconsciously, I still had in my head that we were going to the pizza restaurant, so I drove there instead. As I was getting in the lane to turn into the pizza parking lot, my mom asked me, "Where are you going? You should be in the other lane." (The other restaurant was across the street.) I had put myself on "auto-pilot" w/ our original destination in my head, & my brain hadn't clicked over to the new destination.

 

[CarolAnn856]

A safe crib is different than forgetting that ones child is in the back seat. I just can't understand how someone could be so neglectful. And why does it seem so prevalent now.

So, it seems like what you really wanted was to talk about the parents involved in these tragedies. I'm not playing into that.

The reality is that some of our most vulnerable fellow humans have suffered a horrific death. Going with Pea-and-me's data, this law could save up to around 40 innocent babies each year from suffering a horrible death. I have enough compassion for those children to be happy to pay a little more for a car. It doesn't matter to me who causes the deaths. What matters is those little kids.

 

[gemini2727]

But, sadly, it *does* happen. And, if we can put an extra alert in our vehicles that will help save children's (& pets') lives, that's wonderful.

I once read a fascinating & thought-provoking article (I actually think it was linked here on the DIS in a previous "child dying in a hot car" thread) about the statistics & what leads seemingly good & caring parents to ultimately forget a child in the backseat.

I agree w/ the following 2 posts:





I never came close to leaving any of my children in the backseat either, but I'm not so perfect as to think it never could have happened. W/ our DD, my morning routine included taking her to daycare - and her daycare was at the same place where I worked, so I was never "out of routine" w/ her. I quit work when our older DS was born & didn't have a daily routine.

Just the other day, I was driving my parents & my kids to dinner. Originally, we were going to a local pizza restaurant, but, once everyone was in the van, we decided on a different restaurant. However, subconsciously, I still had in my head that we were going to the pizza restaurant, so I drove there instead. As I was getting in the lane to turn into the pizza parking lot, my mom asked me, "Where are you going? You should be in the other lane." (The other restaurant was across the street.) I had put myself on "auto-pilot" w/ our original destination in my head, & my brain hadn't clicked over to the new destination.

Exactly!

I think we've all had those moments, and most of us have just been lucky it never involved our baby or small child in the car. I read once that a change in routine is a common circumstance in the cases where parents forget, and it especially can happen when a parent shares the responsibility of driving the child around, where it is just as normal NOT to have them in the car as it is to have them there.

 

[AppleDumpling]

IMO, it is worth it to save the lives of children. As of next year, another safety feature, backup cameras, will be mandatory in all new cars, which came about after a number of small children were run over and accidentally killed in driveways.

The idea behind the back seat alert system is a good one, however, it seems to me it would make more sense to have it tied to the child car seat rather than the car itself. Would there be a shutoff switch to deactivate it for people who don't have young children? What about people with an older child/teen or adult passenger in the back who might wait in the car while the driver gets out? What if you put items-- a package, groceries, a backpack full of books, etc. on the backseat- is the alarm going to go off every time you open the door? What if you have a baby and you get out of the car for a few minutes to pump gas within sight of your child?

 

[mjkacmom]

A safe crib is different than forgetting that ones child is in the back seat. I just can't understand how someone could be so neglectful. And why does it seem so prevalent now.

The is a scientific reason it happens, it's not neglect, any more than causing a car accident because you had a stroke. It's a tragedy all around. Ignorant people who think it can't happen to them are probably more likely to do it.

 

[EveDallas]

It happens time and again, and to good, caring parents, especially when they share the responsibility of dropping off the child at daycare, for instance.
If you think it could never happen to you, that is what everyone thinks, yet it happens every year.
Children are better protected when we understand it can, and does, tragically happen to good parents who make a horrible mistake.

Exactly. Every year when summer rolls around, we get tons of threads from perfect parents who would never do some a thing. Newsflash - it can happen to anyone.