Auto Safety Bill for Children Approved by the Senate

Sandy Grinnell

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In response to the number of children killed each year in "non-traffic" auto accidents, the Senate has approved a bill which was sent to President Bush last Thursday. Last year there were 230 children killed from being backed over, choked by electric windows, or run over by cars that rolled out of park.

The safety features include an interlock brake system that prevents cars from being moved out of the park position unless the brake is engaged; additional mirrors, warning systems and/or cameras to improve a driver's rear visibility; and automated mechanisms to prevent strangulation.

The bill was championed by Packy Campbell of Farmington, NH who experienced this type of tragedy when his son Ian died in April 2004. Upon hearing of Senate's approval of the bill, Campbell replied,

The Senate's action is a wonderful step toward ending preventable tragedies, and I commend Senator Sununu for his leadership on this issue. Stakeholders have clearly come together for the common goal of protecting children in a fitting memorial to those who have been lost. They all deserve our thanks and praise."

According to a White House official, the President intends to sign the bill into law.