Backover risks featured on Oprah — and in Congress
Each week, at least 50 children are injured or killed when a driver backs up a vehicle over them. There were 474 fatal backover accidents between 2001 and 2006, which represents almost half of all non-traffic fatalities that involved children. It’s a dangerous situation, thanks in part to the increased popularity of larger vehicles, such as SUVs and minivans. That's why our highest safety priority this year is to get Congress to pass legislation that would require federal automotive safety standards to address the danger of rear blind spots. The bill we support, the Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act of 2007, would direct the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue safety standards to prevent needless deaths and injuries. (The bill is named for a boy whose father accidentally killed him while backing up the family's SUV).
On her June 1 program, Oprah Winfrey will highlight the backover issue, with guests including family members of victims. Regardless of whether you tune in, you can show your support for the pending legislation with this petition from Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports. And remember, your best defense against backover accidents is to get out of your vehicle and check behind it just before you back up. If kids are nearby, make sure you can see them while backing up.
For more information:
• CU: SafeCarsForKids.org
• Kids and Cars (non-profit group working to keep kids safe in non-traffic situations)
• CR: The danger of blind spots
• CR Video: Deadly blind spots
• CR: Unexpected dangers in the home
• CR: Vehicle backup aids
• CR Review: Wireless backup camera
• Oprah.com - Life-Saving Lessons from
Families Like Yours
Posted by: Tom | Jun 17, 2008 9:47:31 AM
Why do we need more legislation to protect people? No matter how many safeguards we are forced to put in place, people will still get hurt and killed. Meanwhile we all have to listen to the maddening back-up beeps on trucks (and cars if some people have their way), or put more and more unsightly plastic detectors in our home.... or spent countless dollars stripping this and that out of our own homes.
I am 43. Somehow I survived (along with everyone I know) without being hit by a car or truck in reverse. I think it is dangerous to create legislation for every single lost soul.
Whatever happened to personal accountability????
Posted by: Mike Siegfried | Feb 17, 2008 10:32:01 PM
While attending an auto show recently, I couldn't help but notice all the new "crossover" vehicles with a third seat squeezed in so that it is almost touching the rear liftgate window. It seems to me that it wouldn't take much of an impact to the rear of those vehicles to seriously injure (or worse) the occupants of those third seats, which are usually children.
Shouldn't there be crash testing done to rate the safety of such occupants in a rear end collision?
Posted by: Sheryl Cochran | Jan 15, 2008 10:51:53 AM
I drive a CRV and my husband drives a Pilot. My big concern is that when I am backing out of a shopping center parking space, there are people who don't seem to realize that there are blind spots and it is hard to see - especially children - when anyone walks up behind the vehicle while I am backing up. The problem is that in order to get the automobile with the back-up cameras the buyer seems to have to purchase the most expensive version of that particular car and not all of us can afford the most expensive models.
Posted by: Jack Martin | Jul 8, 2007 2:18:18 PM
long ago when back windows of car were big and one could see the behind the car better stats were different.Now all new cars have port holes for back side and back windows. I have an old SUV with a big window in the back and sides an before I back up I can turn around in the drivers seat and see behind the car clearly. So why do we permit for the now sake of style the small port hole windows. This is where alot of the trouble lies, as one sees its becoming nore of a problem...
Posted by: Philip Kopel | Jun 21, 2007 9:49:38 AM
We have a Honda Odyssey minivan and my wife would not drive it unless we put in something like a sensor or camera. In the October, 2004 issue of Consumer Reports they mentioned a third inexpensive method to reduce the blind spot - a stick on wide angle lens for $20. I purchase one at www.rearlens.com and cannot believe how well it works. It is fantastic for backing up; I can see to a person's knees within 2.5 feet of the rear bumper, providing better visibility near the vehicle than a standard car. Plus, no installation costs - it took less than 1 minute to put on. I am surprised and disappointed that it was not mentioned in this article, as this very simple cost effective product can save lives.
Posted by: bob olaf | Jun 20, 2007 9:53:10 PM
Although there are many different scenarios and backing up is certainly a necessity at times, if we all take the time to avoid a "back-up" situation wherever possible I'm sure there would be less incidents. Some companies require their employees to follow these rules. It is almost always easier to back up safely when arriving (driveway, carport, parking lot, etc.) when you see what's there as you approach. This way, later on, your next move with the vehicle would be forward - a much safer and normal way of operating. Sure you're still backing up, but under a more attentive condition. Go out farther in the lot and drive through that first double stall and face out of the far one. You'll get some exercise to boot.
As I tell my employees, "You are soley responsible as the operator of your vehicle (at work), so hitting anything is unacceptable. Do what you have to to drive safely".
As far as legislation and technology, I'm all for it. Let's just not make it harder than it should be to accomplish.
Posted by: Victor | Jun 20, 2007 8:51:58 PM
Having driven school buses for many years I understand the importance of being aware of the presence of children at all times when operating a motor vehicle. School buses have extra mirrors to make visible areas that are normally in the blind spots of passenger vehicles with only three mirrors. Even so, mirrors cannot adequately display the rear bumper and drivers were instructed to NEVER backup the bus without first walking to the rear and checking. I think cameras mounted on the rear of the vehicle would be very helpful. I hope the law will mandate them and other methods of increasing visibility, but until then getting out of the vehicle and checking gives the necessary certainty and peace of mind.
Posted by: Edward | Jun 20, 2007 6:45:08 PM
Drivers that do not look behind their vehicles before starting or putting it in reverse are being careless. I do NOT back up my 96 Blazer from our carport without first checking what might be behind me. I walk around the truck before doing anything. I try to check my tail lights each week as well.
That is one of the regulations of being a pro truck driver is first make sure nothing is behind the vehicle. No amount of backup buzzers will help if the driver does not first check.
Another thing that should be considered is backing into a mall parking area. I try to always back in so I have a clear pull out view.
Posted by: bob friedman | Jun 20, 2007 6:37:41 PM
I have a Prius with a backup camera and it is great and when in reverse there is abeeping sound inside the car. What is needed is a beeping sound outside the rear. There are after market backup bulb replacements that sound when in reverse, but I have not found a model to fit the special bulb in the Prius. Do you know of one?