If this makes one person look before backing up just one extra second this was worth posting

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/540120,CST-NWS-backover03.article

A recurring nightmare

Every week, two children are killed in backover accidents -- a number that has everyone from automakers to legislators struggling for answers. But for all the talk, it still comes down to those it affects the most: the parents

September 3, 2007

Nothing could be worse for a parent than the death of a child, except being responsible for it.

Fred Kalmin knows that all too well.

Kalmin accidentally ran over his 1-year-old daughter Marlee while backing out of the driveway of their Buffalo Grove home two days before Christmas. Kalmin, who thought Marlee was in the house with her mother, had been planning to take his daughter and her 4-year-old brother Joey to Michigan Avenue to see the Christmas lights.

Twelve years later, Kalmin, who now lives in Highland Park, still thinks about that morning.
"To lose a daughter is one thing, being responsible is a second thing, having your 4-year-old son there when it happened was a separate thing," he said. "It takes a long time to recover emotionally."

[stop the bleeding]

1. I think about this EVERY time I back my car up

It would crush me to back over a child


edit for missed letter(s)

[Midlodemocrat]

2. How awful for him.

I like that the bigger US vehicles, like minivans have the back up camera or sensor. I have the sensor in my minivan and a small child like that would never been seen by me, so it's an extra layer of precaution.

My neighborhood has tons of little kids and backing out of the garage always made me so nervous, so I'm glad the auto industry is at least trying to address this.

[JDPriestly]

3. Cars have to be designed so that you can see what is behind you

I am short, and hate to back up because if I sit high enough to really see well behind the car, I cannot comfortably reach the pedals. In this day and age of computers, this problem should not exist.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Tragedy does not even begin to describe this....

[pnwmom]

5. And ALWAYS hold your child's hand in a parking lot.

I have often seen parents walking through parking lots with their small children trailing behind them, or running ahead. A toddler or small child may not be seen through a back window, no matter how carefully a driver looks.

[leftchick]

6. my van has backing sensors

which is a great reminder to remember where the kids are at all times.

[salin]

7. I have a backup cam that comes on when I am in reverse.

I don't use it to back up with (the distance is off) but I do have a quick and clear view of anything behind me.