WASHINGTON – Lawmakers want the government to upgrade safety standards for dangerous “blind zones” in new vehicles, to reduce the chances of children being backed over by large sport utility vehicles and trucks.
A Senate committee is to consider legislation today that would require automakers to expand a vehicle’s rear visibility through additional mirrors, sensors, cameras or other technology.
In the past month three children have been killed in backovers in Florida, and more than 200 children nationwide died similarly last year, said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who helped develop the proposal with Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H.
Under the legislation, the government also would consider enhancing safety standards for power windows to keep children from strangling when their necks are caught in a window’s path. The bill also would require new rules on brake interlock systems, letting the vehicle shift out of park only when the brake pedal is depressed.
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