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Blumenthal announces legislation to protect against CO and rollaway risk raised by keyless cars
On Friday, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) announced introduction of the Protecting Americans from the Risks of Keyless Ignition Technology (PARK IT) Act to protect consumers from the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and vehicle rollaways associated with keyless ignition technology in vehicles. The PARK IT Act requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to finalize a rule that vehicles automatically shut off after a period of time to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, and a rule that sets a performance standard to prevent rollaway.
40 countries agree cars must have automatic braking
Forty countries led by Japan and the European Union — but not the U.S. or China — have agreed to require new cars and light commercial vehicles to be equipped with automated braking systems starting as soon as next year, a U.N. agency said Tuesday. The regulation will require all vehicles sold to come equipped with the technology by which sensors monitor how close a pedestrian or object might be. The system can trigger the brakes automatically if a collision is deemed imminent and if the driver doesn't appear set to respond in time.
Despite Prevention Efforts, Hot-Car Casualties Are Rising
Last year 51 children died of vehicular heatstroke in the U.S., an unsettling record that comes as efforts to prevent hot-car deaths have escalated. The latest tally was reached last month when the cause of death for two girls in Clay County, Mo., in July was confirmed to be vehicular heatstroke. Last year’s total surpassed the previous record of 49 deaths set in 2010, according to KidsAndCars.org, a child-safety advocacy group. Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash vehicular deaths for children younger than 15, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Lorraine Complains: Kids are still being left behind in cars and it needs to stop
It may be tempting to let her sleep, but leaving a child in the car is a risky proposition. In May of last year, Shaun Pennell drove to work and parked his car. His day was normal until 5:15, when his life blew apart forever. He had forgotten to drop off Wyatt, his three-year-old son, at daycare on his way to work. The child died of hyperthermia.
Alabama company patents device to prevent hot car deaths
A technology company in Huntsville, Ala., has won a patent for a device its inventors say could prevent these nightmares from becoming real. The device patented on Jan. 1 is called Payton’s Charm, and it’s about the size of a garage door opener. It works by detecting the presence of carbon dioxide inside a closed vehicle. CO2 is the gas living things exhale when they breathe. If the baby’s in the car and breathing, Payton’s Charm will detect the CO2 and call you on the phone. The message: Something’s in the car and may need help.
