Donnelly 'Backing Safety' Campaign Targets Student Drivers, Includes Tips

HOLLAND, Mich., July 15 - Donnelly Corporation is working to raise drivers' awareness of the need for extra caution when backing up their vehicles. Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a report saying that between July 1, 2000, and June 30, 2001, an estimated 9,160 children were injured in and around motor vehicles not in traffic. The CDC reported that being run over or backed over by a motor vehicle accounts for 30% of these injuries. In addition, at least 78 children were killed by vehicles that were not in traffic, and 27% of those deaths resulted from being backed over by a motor vehicle. (http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/fs020703.htm )

A leading supplier of automotive mirrors, Donnelly is actively developing camera and radar technology to virtually eliminate blind spots. In its research while developing ReversAid(TM), the company discovered that dozens of young children are injured or killed each year when family members or friends back out of their driveways.

To raise awareness, Donnelly Corporation sent information to nearly 4,000 drivers' training schools across the United States in June, urging instructors to discuss safe reversing techniques with student drivers. They included posters that read, "If you don't know it's clear, don't put it in gear." According to company officials, the campaign epitomizes the company's philosophy: Advanced Thinking, Human Touch.

"The number of children injured and killed by reversing vehicles is growing to alarming proportions. More and more families are driving vans and SUVs, which are larger and more elevated than passenger cars so the drivers' area of visibility to the rear is more limited," said Frank O'Brien, vice president, Corporate Development. "It will be several years until automotive camera and radar systems, which can help solve this problem, are widely available on production vehicles. Until that time, we are encouraging drivers to take special precautions when backing their vehicles."

The company offers the following tips to help avoid reversing accidents:

Avoid backing up or only back up a short distance. When possible, park so that you can pull forward when you leave instead of reversing. Always walk behind your vehicle to check for children or toys that may be in the area where you will be backing up. Let children in the area know that you will be moving the vehicle. Keep children in sight at all times. Don't move a car unless someone is holding and/or supervising nearby babies and young children. When backing out of driveways, stop before the sidewalk crossing and look both ways for children who may be biking, skating or running. Always check to be sure your mirrors are clean and correctly aligned. Donnelly is a technology-driven, customer-focused automotive supplier and a leader in Bringing Cameras to Cars(TM). The company is based in Holland, Michigan, and serves every major automotive manufacturer worldwide. It is anticipated to become Magna Donnelly under a merger agreement between Donnelly and Magna International, which is expected to be finalized in the fall. Donnelly was named by the Society of Automotive Engineers as a model company in lean manufacturing practices and was recognized by Automotive Industries magazine as one of the "Best of the Best" suppliers of lighting and mirrors. For more information, see www.donnelly.com .