CONTACT:
Pete Daniels, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
202-408-1711 or 301-442-2249, pdaniels@saferoads.org
Janette Fennell, KidsAndCars.org, 415-336-9279, Janette@KidsAndCars.org
Amber Rollins, KidsAndCars.org, 913-205-6973, amber@KidsAndCars.org
MEDIA ALERT:
DEMONSTRATION OF TECHNOLOGY THAT PREVENTS HOT CAR DEATHS
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
54 Children Died in Hot Cars in 2018 &
At Least 41 More Have Been Killed So Far This Year —
Come See Technology in Action That Can Prevent these Tragedies
Pending legislation (the Hot Cars Act) would require this technology in all new cars; Congress should pass this bill without delay
WHAT:
Five companies will be demonstrating detection and alert technology on Capitol Hill in support of the Hot Cars Act (H.R. 3593 / S. 1601). The technology can detect the presence of a child in a car and alert the driver or others using a variety of features both inside and outside the vehicle.
WHEN:
Wednesday, September 18, 11am-2pm
WHERE:
Washington, D.C., U.S. Capitol Grounds, 1st and C Street NE – East Curb near Dirksen Senate Office Building
WHO:
Company representatives will be available to demonstrate detection and alert technology. Safety advocates and families who have lost children to hot car deaths will also be in attendance to speak on the need for the legislation.
WHY:
More than 900 children have died in hot cars since 1990. The Hot Cars Act (H.R. 3593 / S. 1601) seeks to end this horrific toll by requiring inexpensive, available technology in all new cars that can prevent tragic vehicular heatstroke deaths. Automakers recently announced a non-binding, voluntary agreement to install alert technology by 2025, but for numerous reasons, the plan falls far short of what is needed to protect children. By contrast, the Hot Cars Act requires a minimum performance standard, and if enacted today, would require detection and alert technology by 2023. Come experience firsthand the type of system needed to detect the presence of our most precious passengers.
###