WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 17, 2020 – The Alliance for Automotive Innovation today released survey data on Americans’ growing awareness of pediatric heatstroke and the risk it poses to children left unattended in vehicles. Key findings include:
- Parents and caregivers are hearing more about the dangers of heatstroke to children left alone in vehicles. Between February 2014 and August 2018, awareness of the concern increased significantly, from 69 percent to 89 percent.
- People are more willing to intervene when they see a child left alone in a car. The most recent data show that eight in 10 would take action, including calling the police, confronting the parents, or smashing the car window.
- Nearly six in 10 parents and caregivers take specific steps to make sure a child is not left unattended in a car by mistake in warmer months.
“It’s critical for the public to remain aware of the risks posed to children if they’re left unattended in autos,” said Alliance for Automotive Innovation President and CEO John Bozzella. “Especially now - with schedules changing and routines disrupted - it may be more important than ever for parents and caregivers to keep these risks top of mind.”
The research was conducted nationally in the Spring of 2019 and specifically surveyed parents of children six years old or younger as well as caregivers who transport children in that same age range.
“This trend is encouraging. It shows that long-running government, industry, and stakeholder efforts have significantly raised awareness of the importance of preventing pediatric heatstroke.”
Added Bozzella, “I’m also proud of our industry’s position on this. Our members continue taking action. Just last year, automakers entered into a voluntary commitment to install rear seat reminder systems in all passenger vehicles and light trucks by model year 2025.”
For a copy of the research data, click here.
Press Contacts:
Wade Newton, Vice President of Communications
wnewton@autosinnovate.org
202 326 5571