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Bill Would Boost Auto Safety For Children

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The Associated Press

Published: February 15, 2008

WASHINGTON - Congress sent President Bush legislation Thursday to improve auto safety for children, including measures intended to reduce back-overs and accidents involving power windows.

The bill, which passed the Senate on a voice vote Thursday, was approved by the House in December and now awaits Bush's signature. A White House official said the president is expected to sign the bill.

Building upon a voluntary agreement reached by automakers, the legislation requires new vehicles, by 2010, to have brake interlock systems, which prevent a vehicle from shifting out of park unless the brake pedal is depressed.

To address back-overs, future vehicles would likely offer additional mirrors, sensor devices or cameras to help reduce blind spots.

The bill also requires the government to study a power window auto-reverse safety standard to prevent children from getting caught in the windows, and it creates a database of nontraffic deaths and injuries.

Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., noted that an estimated 230 children were killed last year in so-called nontraffic accidents and said he was hopeful the bill would "reduce this unnecessary loss of life."

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