By SAFETY CANADA, No. 3, 2003
Solutions for the Blind Spot
Some new vehicles offer sensors that detect unseen obstacles behind the vehicle. For example, the General Motors Ultrasonic Parking Assist System senses objects behind the vehicle as it reverses. The system sounds a warning tone and illuminates a lamp that is colour coded for proximity above the rear window, which is visible in the rear- view mirror, as you move close to the object. GM says the system may detect a stationary or moving child, but potentially not in every case. This type of device is only an aid not a replacement for driver vigilance. Manufacturers are working on rear-facing radar systems which would sense moving objects but these are not yet on the market.
If you have a larger vehicle, the Canada Safety Council suggests adding devices such as extra mirrors to reduce the size of your blind spot. Another way to minimize the backing hazard is to back into your driveway so you go forward to drive out. And always back up slowly never faster than a childs walking pace.
2006 Update: Driveway Back-overs
University of Utah researchers found that backing up in the driveway is an under recognized and often very serious type of mishap for small children. They analyzed data on 495 children treated for injuries sustained in auto-pedestrian accidents over an eight year period, of which 128 occurred in the driveway. Six percent of the children died. Cars, trucks, and sports utility vehicles were involved in 55 percent, 25 percent, and 12 percent of the incidents, respectively. The number of cases increased over the last four years of the study.
For more details: Back Up Incident
SJ Fenton et al. The prevalence of driveway back-over injuries in the era of sports utility vehicles. Journal of Pediatric Surgery 2005; 40(12): 1964-8.
