Back Overs

In the U.S., 50 children are backed over EVERY WEEK because a driver could not see them. Rearview cameras can be installed on any vehicle to end these predictable tragedies. Every vehicle made after 2017, will have a backup camera already installed. 

Blindzones… every vehicle has them

A blind-zone is the area behind, on the sides, and in front of a vehicle where the driver cannot see even when looking back and using their rear and side view mirrors correctly.

• Average rear blind-zone = 15 to 25 feet

• Shorter drivers = larger blind-zones

• Over 60% of backovers involve a larger vehicle (truck, van, SUV)

Circumstances

• Backovers take place mainly in driveways and parking lots.

• In over 70% of these incidents, a parent or close relative is the driver behind the wheel.

• Bye-Bye Syndrome: Children don’t want to be left behind when they hear the words ‘bye-bye.’ Many times children follow behind the person who is leaving. The driver is unaware the child snuck out, thinking they are still safe inside. The child stands behind the vehicle where they cannot be seen and is backed over.

You cannot avoid hitting something you literally cannot see.

• Most drivers are unaware of the very large, dangerous blind-zone that is found behind ALL vehicles.

• Children do not understand the danger of a slow-moving vehicle; they believe if they see the vehicle, the driver can see them.

• Children do not recognize boundaries (property lines, sidewalks, driveways or parking spaces) and are very impulsive.

 Age

• The predominant age of backover victims is one year old. (12-23 months). Toddlers have just started walking/running at this age, testing the limits and trying new things.

• Children younger than 5-years-old are at the most risk, but children of all ages can be backed over.

Prevention/Safety Tips:

Drivers should heighten their awareness before engaging a vehicle in reverse; especially when children are present. Young children are impulsive and unpredictable; they still have very poor judgment and little understanding of danger.

Kids and Car Safety urges everyone to install a rearview camera and sensors on their vehicle. Many drivers believe they have to wait to purchase a new vehicle to have this safety feature but a rearview camera, 360-degree camera system and/or sensors can be installed on ANY vehicle.

• Install door alarms on the doors leading to outside your home so you know any time someone is leaving the home. Many toddlers sneak out of the home and are then run over. You can also use childproofing door knob and handle covers to prevent children from leaving unnoticed.

• Create habits to ensure children are directly supervised every time someone is arriving or leaving the home. This is when most tragedies at the home occur.

  • Example of a routine you can implement at your home – Before leaving the home, verbally and visually confirm that all children are in direct contact with the adult who is actively watching them. The supervising adult should stay in direct contact with all children until the person leaving is safely out of sight.

• Walk completely around your vehicle scanning the area for children and pets prior to moving a vehicle. If you see or hear children, be sure they are directly supervised by an adult.

• If you need to move a vehicle without another adult present, make children move away from your vehicle to a place where you can clearly see them or put them in the car with you before moving the car.

• Never allow young children to walk through parking lots. Young children should always be carried or placed in a stroller or shopping cart in parking lots. Even holding hands cannot prevent a child from darting away.

• Do not allow children to play in driveways, cul-de-sacs or parking lots unsupervised.

• Trim landscaping around the driveway to ensure drivers can see the sidewalk, street and pedestrians clearly when backing out of their driveway. Pedestrians also need to be able to see a vehicle pulling out of the driveway.

• Roll down the driver’s side window when backing so you can hear if someone is warning you to stop.

• Be especially careful about keeping children safe in and around cars during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis or holidays.