Safe Kids Oklahoma

According to the organization Kids And Cars, at least 50 children are backed over by vehicles every week. Of those children, 48 are treated in hospital emergency rooms and 2 die. That is an alarming statistic. There has been much investigation into why we are seeing this number continue to rise instead of decline, and one of the biggest factors is vehicle design. Many families own large vehicles such as vans, trucks, and SUVs that make seeing what is in front or behind the vehicle nearly impossible at times.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recognized this problem, had proposed that backup cameras be required in all new cars by 2014. Due to a public backlash, they have postponed implementing the standard, but are expected to make some adjustments to the proposal and re-introduce it perhaps later this year.

While technology can absolutely help in saving lives, incidents such as frontover and backover injuries and fatalities can often be prevented by taking the time to walk completely around the vehicle before getting into your car. Below are some additional tips to make sure you Spot Your Tot!

• Walk all the way around your parked vehicle to check for children – or anything that can attract a child like pets or toys – under or behind your vehicle before getting in and starting the engine.

• Accompany young children when they get in and out of a vehicle.

• Identify and use safe play areas for children away from parked or moving vehicles. Block driveways so cars cannot enter and exit.

• Designate a safe spot within a driver’s sight for children to wait when nearby vehicles are about to move.

• Firmly hold the hand of each child when walking near moving vehicles and when in driveways, in parking lots or on sidewalks.

For more information on Kids And Cars visit their website at www.kidsandcars.org