Life-saving rear seat reminder systems are now available in 263 vehicle models, according to a new report from Alliance for Automotive Innovation – a 22 percent jump from 2023 and a five-fold increase since a 2019 voluntary commitment by automakers to install rear-seat reminder systems in all new vehicles by 2025.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 29 children died from pediatric vehicular heatstroke in 2023. A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s.
Systems include:
- End-of-trip reminder system – Provides a visual and audible alert when occupants are present in the rear seat after the vehicle is turned off.
- Occupant sensing system – detects motion in the rear row of a vehicle (using camera or radar sensors) and provides visual and audible alerts to a driver.
John Bozzella, president and chief executive officer of Alliance for Automotive Innovation, said, “This is outstanding and impactful leadership from the auto industry that we know will prevent preventable tragedies. And the good news? It didn’t require a rule or a mandate from regulators. Every year more vehicles include this safety technology that helps protect vulnerable children left in vehicles. We’re closer than ever to achieving a major safety goal: universal rear-seat reminder systems.”
Published December 2024
