US DOT Taking On Mission To Standerized All Cars To Have Backup Sensors

Nationwide, more than 100 children died last year after being hit by vehicles as they backed up. And legislation in Congress aims to prevent these accidents by requiring devices that alert drivers when someone is behind their vehicles.

Cameras and sensors already are offered on some new models, but it would be up to the U.S. Department of Transportation to decide what should be the norm.

Last year President Bush signed a law directing the Transportation Department to start collecting data on these accidents. The department also was told to study backup safety technology.
"Those were significant strides forward," said Janette Fennell, president and founder of Kids and Cars, a nonprofit group based in Kansas, "But that was just laying the groundwork."

While the fate of the latest legislation is uncertain, advocates are encouraged by its bipartisan support Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, and Sen. John Sununu, R-New Hampshire, are co-sponsors.
If passed, it would give automakers three years to make the safety devices standard.