Look out behind you

The area behind your car can be dangerous. Each week, about 50 children are injured or killed in the United States when drivers don’t see them while backing up. Between 2001 and 2006, there were 474 fatal backover accidents. To help consumers understand how large some blind spots are, Consumer Reports conducts blind zone measurements of popular vehicles. Check out our blind spot video to see how we conduct these tests. Generally, the larger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spot. Find out which models have the best and worst blind zones in our blind spot and backover report, which includes the measurements of new 2007 models, as well as vehicles from the past few years.

The best way to prevent a backover accident is to get out of your car and look behind it before you reverse. Also, a backup camera is helpful to see immediately behind the vehicle. Most importantly, be aware of your surroundings and of any children nearby.

Our friends at the Consumer Reports safety blog and Consumers Union are monitoring pending legislation that would establish automotive safety standards and address the backover issue. Find out what you can do to help.

--Liza Barth