Mother who forgot baby in car wants changes made to car seats

[merika]

Originally Posted by Megs

But even rear view cameras is very lazy for all of us - we get a false sense of security from that. I have on in one of our cars but I never "use" it. I am pretty anal about looking behind me and checking and double checking. And you better believe that if I had kids, was in a neighborhood with kids, that I would be the slowest and most annoying reverser checking and double checking and then re-checking. I am not saying that technology is not good, that it could not be helpful, but I do think these 'contraptions' take the responsibility away from the people - who really need to own their actions and thoughts.

I'm not sure what kind of car you have, but SUVs have an enormous blind spot right behind them which you cannot see either through the mirrors, or by turning your head, or by sticking your head out the window.

Turning your head sideways or to the rear eliminates the blind spot in most sedans, but these are the measured blind spots behind some vehicles, and looking behind you is simply not enough...especially if a small person is right below your rear windshield:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18789538/

During the last few years, Consumer Reports measured the blind zones behind hundreds of vehicles using both short and tall drivers. Here’s the range they found for each category:

• Sedans: 12 feet to 24 feet
• Minivans: 15 feet to 26 feet
• Sport Utility Vehicles: 13 feet to 29 feet
• Pickup trucks: 23 feet to 35 feet

With some of these large pickups, the blind zone can be longer than the driveway.The 2006 Jeep Commander Limited had the biggest blind spot of any vehicle Consumer Reports tested – a stunning 69 feet with a short driver. With an optional backup camera, that huge blind spot is nearly eliminated.

[Blondee178]

Originally Posted by Roo

So you would not want a day care provider who left your child in the car and the child died, to serve any jail time either?

Thought the article above ties in with your argument.

[Roo]

Originally Posted by Blondee178

Thought the article above ties in with your argument.

Thanks for posting.

[Megs]

Originally Posted by merika

I'm not sure what kind of car you have, but SUVs have an enormous blind spot right behind them which you cannot see either through the mirrors, or by turning your head, or by sticking your head out the window. Turning your head sideways or to the rear eliminates the blind spot in most sedans, but these are the measured blind spots behind some vehicles, and looking behind you is simply not enough...especially if a small person is right below your rear windshield: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18789538/ During the last few years, Consumer Reports measured the blind zones behind hundreds of vehicles using both short and tall drivers. Here’s the range they found for each category: Sedans: 12 feet to 24 feet Minivans: 15 feet to 26 feet Sport Utility Vehicles: 13 feet to 29 feet Pickup trucks: 23 feet to 35 feet With some of these large pickups, the blind zone can be longer than the driveway.The 2006 Jeep Commander Limited had the biggest blind spot of any vehicle Consumer Reports tested – a stunning 69 feet with a short driver. With an optional backup camera, that huge blind spot is nearly eliminated.

There were sedans and trucks 10 years ago with no cameras. I would be VERY interested to see if there is a study on the amount of deaths then vs more recently. I really think it is about being aware of what you are doing. Not on your phone or texting, but being aware of what you are doing while driving - which would leave you less distracted when reversing, when driving, and when leaving your car.

I simply think people have an easy time placing blame elsewhere and depending on things outside of themselves. Without a camera in a car are we all doomed? I don't believe so.

I do understand that this device the mother wants to see could save a life - and by no means am I against saving lives. But to forget your child in your car, well, I can simply say I just do not get it at all.

[HauteMama]

There are now PSAs on the radio telling people to take 10 seconds to walk around their car before getting in and moving it, to make sure there are no children or pets that cannot be seen from inside the vehicle. Every year children get run over this way, and it is tragic because it is so easily prevented.

I've always taken the approach that if I cannot see my children (either in the car with me or on the porch or watch them walk inside the house), I don't move my car. Kids think hiding is funny, and it can happen in an instant if a person isn't watching. There was recently a famous family who lost a child due to an older teen backing up on the driveway without checking, wasn't there?

[DamierLover]

I have a 2008 Jeep Commander and it has the backup camera installed. I wish I'd had it a couple of years ago when I was backing out of our driveway and I ran over our family cat Abby. She was my husbands baby and we both cried and cried when we had to have her put to sleep because of severe internal bleeding. It was a nightmare I can't imagine anybody going through. I still to this day hear the screaming in my head and go back to the moment it happened.

If that had been a human baby or toddler, I can't even imagine I'd want to go on living. I'm sure I'd want to do what Chaq said in a few posts earlier. I'd want to be dead myself.

I'll never own another vechicle that does not have backup cameras installed.

[DiorDeVille]

Originally Posted by Roo

I actually got a little angry when I read the article, bella. The reason is that if there are alarms placed on car seats and they don't work right, then the parent gets to sue the alarm company for negligence if their child dies. It totally removes the responsibility for remembering your child is in the car from the parent.

Agree completely. I don't want to speculate about what some truly horrible people might do for money if that was the case.

I don't think this mother is horrible though, even though the story is awful. I can't speak to the parent-child bond, since I don't have kids, but I know that when I have a migrane aura/pms/long-term sleep deprivation, I do some really dumb stuff that I'd never expect of myself. Fortunately, there are no kids' or pets' wellbeing on the line for me.

And if there were some way to avoid manufacturer liability for a parent's neglect, a better car feature than child seat alarms would be some sort of system that detected movement inside the vehicle and then opened the windows slightly or regulated the car's internal temperature.

[chag]

Roo if you are saying that's me in the post Blondee put out I would say no. If the caretaker had left for a half hour or something I would say differently but no I wouldn't prosecute

[chag]

And no if I lost a child through an accident that was purely in Gods hands I wouldn't prosecute then either

[AAA07]

No. I don't get this at all. I have two small children and they are practically glued to me every second of the day. Forgetting them in their car seats would be like leaving the house naked. I don't think the solution is for alarms on baby seats but alarms for parents with their heads up their A$$es - I mean come on people.

[kroquet]

One of my co-workers told me today that someone that left their child in the car was charged with endangerment. I'll have to ask her for a link. She told me there was no way she could leave her son in the car and most of the other Moms have said the same.

Back in the day, when I was a young Mom trying to get ready for work and loading everything in the car and fiddling with the car seat, I now can't imagine after all that forgetting to go to the day care! I was constantly checking the rearview mirror, talking to them, etc. Of course, that was before cell phones, ipods and all the like, so I was completely focused. One of my pet peeves is parents at the grocery store talking on their phones and NOT paying attention to their little ones. I have been sorely tempted to snatch the phone out of their hands! With my luck, I would be charged with assault!!! lol

[dallas]

Originally Posted by kroquet

One of my co-workers told me today that someone that left their child in the car was charged with endangerment. I'll have to ask her for a link. She told me there was no way she could leave her son in the car and most of the other Moms have said the same. Back in the day, when I was a young Mom trying to get ready for work and loading everything in the car and fiddling with the car seat, I now can't imagine after all that forgetting to go to the day care! I was constantly checking the rearview mirror, talking to them, etc. Of course, that was before cell phones, ipods and all the like, so I was completely focused. One of my pet peeves is parents at the grocery store talking on their phones and NOT paying attention to their little ones. I have been sorely tempted to snatch the phone out of their hands! With my luck, I would be charged with assault!!! lol

I think this is the key. We have to pay attention. I cringe when I see parents walking along the footpath with their precious child either dawdling far behind them or running ahead in front, and I wonder how they can they possibly keep them safe if they don't hold their hand? Parents have to stay focused because as we have seen over and over, the price for not doing so is far too high.

[kattykay]

Back up camera help alot. I have one in my yukon but not in my explorer. I always check right, left, back, camera, and thenwhatever direction I am turning again. A couple weeks ago I was backing up my explorer, I did all the things I usually did and I ended up backing up into a car that was stopped about 4 ft behind me. It was dark so I didnt see it, my explorer doesnt have the park sensors, but if I had the backup camera in the ford I would have seen the car. Thank god it was a very slow accident because the woman had a 3 year old without a car seat in her back seat.

[habanerita]

There is no IQ test for being a parent, there is no training, nor a pass or don't pass test before you can conceive. Some women are extraordinary mothers, some are run of the mill mothers and some are pretty lousy mothers.................this has been the same for all past generations and will be for all future generations. Harm to children from parents, intentionally or non-intenionally has taken place through all generations. It was never in the media like it is today.
As for 10 years ago this not happening as much.............I do not have the facts, but I do know that 10 years ago, the demands on single mothers, divorced mothers, working mothers may not have been as mind boggling as they are today.
Just getting from point A to point B in any urban location in this country with kids to deliver prior to reaching your workplace is a challenge. I babysit my grandchildren constantly, and, I am in constant awe of the amount of work my daughters have. Looking at the past and saying, this is a new phenomenom, and this would not happen to mothers years ago is not fair nor true.

If you put a poorly equipped mom or dad, and especially one with a poor support system in a dangerously stressful situation, regarding of this happening now or 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago.......BAD THINGS CAN HAPPEN TO THEIR KIDS........The death of children from accidents while in the care of the parents has been huge in this country for many, many, many years.....
If any mechanical system can be used to aid in helping to keep any kid alive, it should be encouraged. It is easy to dismiss something as awful as the death of this child, by thinking that it can only happen to irresponsible parents..........but, think again...........even the bestest of moms and dads can make huge mistakes ........

[Green Zebra]

I think...if putting in sensors in car seats saves one child from being forgotten in a car by a distracted, forgetful, or whatever parent...I say why not? I'd prefer to save a child, rather than worry about a parent suing because of sensor malfunctions. JMHO

Just like seat belts...I'd rather see them save many lives...knowing there will be a few cases of people suing car manufacturers over faulty seat belts. In the end, the seat belts will have saved so many more people than without them.