More than 2500 hundred children are backed-up over every year in America. At least 300 to 400 of those are killed. The data is sketchy because the Automotive Industry seems not to care. The driver is usually a parent or other relative. Many children run behind vehicles wanting to see mommy or daddy or grandmother or granddaddy before they leave. It’s the “bye-bye syndrome. 

Many years ago while I was a student at Morehouse College, I was driving down a city street when I saw a child get killed by a car. It was a scene that I shall never forget. The little boy’s sister crying uncontrollably while paramedics tried to rescue him. I can still hear the words “He’s dead!” The little boy was five years old. In this particular case the little boy being watched by an older sister ran out into the path of the car ahead of mine. He wasn’t the victim of a deadly blind spot but it raised my awareness of how easily a child can be killed by a vehicle. 

Most drivers do know that there are areas behind their vehicles that they can not see. They usually are not aware of just how large of an area this can be. The blind spot can sometimes be as large as 53 feet. Just remember the bigger the vehicle the bigger the blind spot. 

In my house we have rules. When backing out of the garage we always call roll. We walk around our vehicles before we get inside of them. We teach our kids and any other passenger not to walk behind the cars if the motor is running. If I had small children I would install a back up camera for added security. 

The next time you back your vehicle up just remember this: “many of the back-up deaths occur in driveways and parking lots. The saddest part of the story is the person backing over someone is usually a parent or other relative and the victim is ordinarily between the ages of 1 year and 23 months old. 

If you are concerned about this issue let your congressman know. We need legislation that would make it mandatory for all new cars to have back up cameras or sensors. If you don’t think one person can make a difference when they are passionate about an issue then just look at a great lady named Janette Fennell. Because of her collection of data about the number of people locked in car trunks, and her discovery that the majority are children she started lobbying for legislation to make trunk releases mandatory equipment. So today handle-like releases are now required on all new vehicles sold in the United States. The release latch is usually found right by the trunk latch, made of a glow in the dark plastic. You too can make a difference and save a life!

In the words of my dad, “If you don’t have money at least have class!”

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com