Update on Non-traffic Vehicle Fatalities and Tips for Keeping Pedestrians and Passengers as Safe as Possible

While you likely understand that riding in a vehicle comes with risks, it’s even riskier to be a pedestrian. In fact, this is one group of individuals that use roadways and has seen an increase in fatalities in the United States. The numbers don’t lie:

The total number of non-traffic related fatalities in 2014 alone included:

• 31 individuals dying due to heatstroke
• 71 individuals being backed over
• 63 individuals being driven over
• 5 killed due to the vehicle being set in motion
• 16 underage driver related deaths
• 3 drowned
• 2 were strangled by power windows
• 1 fell from their vehicle

If these numbers don’t shock you, they should. And if you think it could never happen to you, think again. While the 1.3 million people who die in actual road crashes each year is a much more staggering number, the fact is that you have to consider the causes of the non-traffic related fatalities – not paying attention and not being able to see the pedestrian, for example

One of the more staggering facts about the fatalities listed above is that a large number of these deaths are children. Between the dates of 1990 and 2010, there were a documented 2,689 child fatalities related to non-traffic incidents. This does not factor in the number of adults, or the number of undocumented cases. The saddest part of this statistic is that with a little effort in teaching road safety to adults and children, the majority of these fatalities could have been completely prevented.

Now the issue that you face is how to stay safe on the road. You have to keep yourself and your children safe from accidents that involve vehicles. Even with the best intentions, accidents happen, which is why you have to consider all the possibilities that may occur.

Safety While on the Move

Parents worry about their children - if they are happy, if they are getting enough to eat, if they are safe. This concern grows as your child becomes older and is able to ride his bike or walk to a friend’s house. This is a valid concern since this is one of those times when your child is most vulnerable to a non-traffic related accident.

As a parent, it’s your job to keep your children safe and teach them road safety rules This means if they are walking, they know how to be a safe pedestrian, if they are on their bike, they know the rules of the road. It is also essential you keep them safe while in your vehicle, or someone else’s vehicle. This includes putting on their safety belt, or using a booster or car seat for younger children.

Regardless of where you are going and how careful you are, accidents can happen in a split second. Taking some time to review the statistics and ways to keep yourself and your children safe can pay off big in the long term.

Keeping Your Baby and Toddler Safe

One of the scariest headlines for many parents is that a baby or toddler died to the high heat they were exposed to when accidently locked in their parent’s vehicle. In fact, heatstroke is considered the number one cause of death among kids.

In order to prevent the possibility of your child suffering from heat stroke, use the following tips:

• Look before you lock your doors
• Make it a habit to take your child inside with you all the time, this will make it habit and reduce the possibility you will forget them.
• Take some type of action if you ever notice a child in a vehicle by themselves.
• Teach your kids that vehicles are not toys and they should never go in a vehicle without an adult.

In more than 50% of the cases involving a child dying of heat stroke in a hot car was because a parent or caregiver forgot they were there in the first place. This is a very painful way for a child to die:

• The interior of your vehicle can heat up extremely quickly, even when the windows are left cracked. Your vehicle can quickly reach 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 80% of the increase of the temperature in a vehicle occurs within the first 10 minutes.
• Children can die in a vehicle due to heatstroke in even at a temperature of only 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

You may wonder what makes children more prone to heat stroke. There are a number of contributing factors, including the following:

• The child’s body overheats between three and five times faster than an adult’s body.
• The rear facing car seat will look identical, regardless of if a baby is in it or not.
• Many babies and even children fall asleep in their car seat, making it easier to forget they are there.

Every nine days this year, a child will die of heatstroke because they were left in a hot vehicle. This can happen to you if you do not take the proper precautions. Also, 54% of the children that die of heat stroke are under the age of one, with 87% being under the age of three. This is a completely avoidable death if you simply learn to pay attention better and follow some of the tips outlined in this article.

In addition to making it a habit to look in your backseat prior to locking and walking away from your vehicle, there is a new social campaign going around that encourages parents to place their purse, shoe or even phone in the backseat next to their child. After all, you are sure to notice if you get out of the vehicle without a shoe on. This will help ensure that you do not leave your child behind in a hot vehicle.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is whether or not your state has a law about driving without both shoes. There are quite a few that do, and you do not want to break the law. If this is your situation, then your purse, wallet, phone or other item will help prevent this from ever happening.

Other Tips to Keep Kids Safe in or Around Vehicles

While buckling up is a must when you get in the car, what about when your child is around a car? Have you taught them road safety tips on what to look for and how to stay safe? If not, your child may be the next statistic.

Each year there is an average of 210 fatalities due to a backover crash. There are also more than 15,000 people injured due to this type of non-traffic related accident. While there are a number of newer vehicles that have technology that help both parents and children avoid these types of situations, there is no substitute for a parent or caregiver that actually pays attention to what is going on.

If you do not have a technological advanced vehicle, then investing in some gadgets and other devices that will help prevent these issues can be beneficial. Some devices you should consider purchasing include:

• Back up camera systems. These can show a driver what is behind their vehicle and even sound alarms if something is detected.
• Trunk releases that are glow in the dark. Kids like to hide. Many kids even hide in parked cars, but if they become locked in the trunk, they can quickly become overheated and suffer heat stroke. Installing a glow-in-the-dark release can prevent this from occurring.
• BTSI device. This will prevent the vehicle from being put into gear unless the brake has been pressed. This can ensure that a rollaway does not occur if the vehicle is accidently put out of park by a child.

Some of the other issues that can cause fatalities that have absolutely nothing to do with an actual car accident is power windows or becoming entangled in the safety belts. These are also issues that can be easily prevented by installing devices to prevent the issue in the first place and by paying attention to what is going on.

Unfortunately, technology has also led to a number of these issues and deaths. For example, when you are busy and in a hurry, you may jump on your phone without even glancing in your rearview mirror. It only takes a split second to roll over someone standing behind your vehicle. This is true in your own driveway, in a parking spot at the mall, or anywhere else where vehicles are being operated. Being alert and aware is essential. If you don't already have a back up camera installed in your vehicle, you should consider getting one.

Teaching Your Kids

As a parent, it is your responsibility to teach your children how to remain safe while on or near roads or vehicles. You can teach them to always pay attention to traffic, look before walking behind a vehicle, and how to undo their own safety belt. All of these skills may actually save their life one day if an emergency situation arises.

Due to the new awareness of the large number of non-traffic related fatalities that are happening around the country, there are a number of new programs in effect to help and keep pedestrians safe. While these programs are beneficial and raising awareness, the only way they can be effective is if you increase your own awareness. Knowing what is going on around you is essential to remaining safe.

As your child gets older, they will not always be with you. This is why you need to teach them at a young age how important it is they remain aware of their surroundings. When you make it a habit for them to look closely and pay attention to what is going on, they will have a much lower likelihood of becoming another statistic.

New Technology You Should Use

When it comes to preventing accidents, one of the best things you can do is implement new technology. One such element is a backup camera system from Rear View Safety. In fact, they are offering their Wireless Backup Sensor System as the ‘Featured Product’ for June, which means if you order this month, you can save 10%.

With its waterproof control box and wireless connectivity, this Backup Sensor System is perfect for any commercial vehicle. It comes with 4 sensors to mount to the back of the vehicle which connect to the control box which, due to its waterproof encasing, can be mounted inside or outside the vehicle. The control box connects wirelessly to the display which is placed inside the front of the vehicle, warning you both visually and audibly of hazards behind your vehicle.

Thousands of preventable non-traffic related deaths occur each year. While there are quite a few adults that are involved in the non-traffic fatalities, the majority of situations involve children. The statistics that have been seen here should make you realize that the next child the statistics may reflect could be your own. The real tragedy of the situation is that most of these accidents are completely preventable.

Taking the time to teach children road safety, and taking that extra second to look in your mirrors can really pay off in the long run. In fact, it may actually save your child’s life or the life of another child. Everyone should implement the tips here and reduce the chances that this type of accident will happen to them or to someone they love.

Sources:
https://www.rearviewsafety.com/product-of-the-month/
https://www.kidsandcars.org/statistics.html
https://www.kidsandcars.org/userfiles/dangers/misc/nontraffic-map.pdf
https://www.safercar.gov/parents/InandAroundtheCar/heatstroke.htm
https://asirt.org/Initiatives/Informing-Road-Users/Road-Safety-Facts/Road-Crash-Statistics