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SAFE KIDS Campaign Commends Work of Expert Panel on Trunk Entrapment

4 December 2000

National SAFE KIDS Campaign Commends Work of Expert Panel on Trunk Entrapment

      Panel Reconvened to Gauge Progress of Trunk Entrapment Prevention
            Measures Following Recommendations Issued in June 1999

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 In less than two years, significant
advances have been made in the effort to prevent unintentional trunk
entrapment among children, thanks to the work of the Expert Panel on Trunk
Entrapment.  Convened at the request of the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration in December 1998, the panel met today to assess progress on
recommendations made to NHTSA in June 1999.  Chaired by Heather Paul, Ph.D.,
executive director of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, the panel was formed
after 11 children died in the summer of 1998 when they unintentionally locked
themselves in unattended car trunks and were unable to escape the intense
heat.
    The chief recommendation was that automotive manufacturers be required to
equip all new cars with internal trunk release mechanisms.  Car manufacturers
were also urged to voluntarily install the devices as soon as possible.
Additionally, the panel recommended the voluntary development and promotion of
trunk safety retrofit kits by automobile manufacturers for as many vehicles as
possible.
    In just under two years since the panel was formed, internal release
mechanisms have been voluntarily placed in over 2 million new automobiles.  In
addition, at least eight auto manufacturers, including General Motors, Ford
and DaimlerChrysler, have made trunk safety retrofit kits available to
consumers.  Most significantly, NHTSA issued a standard on October 17
requiring that internal trunk release mechanisms be installed in all new
vehicles effective September 2001.
    "We're pleased that some of the manufacturers designed their trunk release
systems with children in mind," said Dr. Paul.  "Eventually, we hope that
there is a fail-safe system that does not rely on children's ability to get
themselves out of a trunk.
    "This unique collaboration of government, automotive industry
representatives and safety advocates has resulted in a significant safety
improvement for kids in vehicles," Paul added.