Dear Secretary Buttigieg:
With America facing another long hot summer, the undersigned urge the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) to take immediate action to prevent deaths and serious, lifelong injuries resulting from children who may have entered or been left unattended in motor vehicles.
Since 1990, more than 1,050 children have died in hot car incidents, including eight already this year according to data collected by Kids and Car Safety. Hundreds of companion animals die in hot cars every year.
The Federal Communications Commission recently adopted new rules for the 60 GHz spectrum band that will facilitate the use of short-range radar systems which can help to prevent the deaths or injuries of children and companion animals who have unknowingly been left in or entered vehicles. It is now time for the U.S. DOT to act. Without a requirement for an effective detection and alert system in new vehicles, children and companion animals will continue to die or be injured.
Read More