[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 100 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CAN REDUCE ACCIDENTS

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                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 27, 2000

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to one of 
the leading causes of injury and death to small children--backing 
vehicles. Most Americans probably do not give much thought to backing 
out of their driveway, or a parking space at the local supermarket. Yet 
reversing the car presents a danger to our children, as well as to the 
disabled and elderly, that can no longer be ignored.
  Children under the age of two are more likely to suffer non-traffic-
related injuries or fatalities in driveways, parking lots, or sidewalks 
than any other age group. Moreover, over half of all pedestrian 
injuries to children in this age group occurs when a vehicle is backing 
up. Toddlers are especially vulnerable because they are exposed to 
traffic threats that exceed their cognitive, developmental and sensory 
abilities. Children have difficulty judging speed, spatial 
relationships and distance. The risk to disabled individuals and the 
elderly must also be considered, as they can be unable to move out of 
the way of a backing vehicle. The risk is augmented as cars get bigger 
and taller, increasing a driver's ``blind spot'' behind the car, making 
the driver unaware of what my lie behind.
  Unfortunately, families in my home state of Colorado are already 
painfully aware of the danger posed by backing vehicles. In Greeley, 
Colorado, a grandfather accidentally backed over his 18-month-old 
grandson with a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), killing the child last 
December. A few months later, tragedy struck a couple in Denver when an 
elderly man on an electric scooter was fatally injured when his wife 
accidentally backed their minivan into him in the driveway of their 
home.
  At this time, there are no concrete studies to show the dangers of 
backing vehicles. I ask the Department of Transportation to conduct a 
study to determine the number of fatalities, injuries and property 
damage caused by slow-speed backing vehicle accidents. I urge my 
colleagues to support such a study.

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