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2024 IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR
Awareness is good. Action is better.
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Thank you to our incredible donors!
A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped us raise $63,362 this holiday season. All of your contributions were doubled thanks to our amazing matching donors – The Fennell family and the Ryan Murphy Giving Fund. It is the unwavering support of people like YOU who make the world safer for children. We only need $6,700 to reach our goal of $70,000 and maximize the matching dollars. Our generous donors agreed to extend the matching opportunity through January 10th so please consider making a donation today to help us cross the finish line DONATE HERE.
January, 2025
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New Safety Standards Issued in 2024 | |
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Seat Belt Reminders for ALL Seating Positions
After more than a decade of persistent advocacy, Kids and Car Safety is celebrating a major vehicle safety milestone as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finalized a rule requiring seat belt use warnings for rear seats and enhanced warnings for driver and front passenger seats. Once fully implemented, NHTSA estimates the new rule will prevent over 500 injuries and 50 fatalities annually.
Previously, the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS 208) only required seat belt reminders for the driver’s seat. Expanding these protections to all seating positions marks a critical step forward in passenger safety.
Under the new rule, automakers must equip new vehicles with enhanced seat belt warning system requirements for front seat passengers starting September 1, 2026, and for rear seat passengers by September 1, 2027. However, Kids and Car Safety encourages vehicle manufacturers to implement these systems immediately. Learn more
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Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) / Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)
After years of advocacy, AEB and PAEB will become standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, this safety standard is expected to save at least 360 lives and prevent at least 24,000 injuries annually.
Kids and Car Safety (KACS) applauds this significant step forward but is disappointed with key shortcomings in the final rule.
- The rule requires systems to activate only at speeds above 6.2 mph, overlooking most low-speed pedestrian incidents, such as frontovers in parking lots and driveways.
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Compliance testing will use just two dummies representing a 50th-percentile man and an average 6- to 7-year-old child. Unfortunately, this excludes women, smaller children, cyclists, wheelchair users, and other vulnerable road users from consideration.
KACS remains committed to ensuring that safety standards address low-speed frontovers that are injuring and killing children and others. The STOP Frontovers Act was reintroduced in December 2024. Learn more
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We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors for your unwavering support!
Toyota, Honda, State Farm, Ride & Remind, MODOT, Safe Ride 4 Kids, & Vayyar
Partner with us to save lives. Together we can showcase your commitment to making the world safer for children. For information on how to become a KACS sponsor, please contact Amber@kidsandcars.org.
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Nontraffic Data Collection
During 2024, KACS documented at least 1,796 nontraffic incidents that would have otherwise gone undocumented. Our work to collect data and document these serious nontraffic threats to safety has resulted in identifying unrecognized problems, proposing solutions, and effecting change. Our data collection, research, and analysis are the basis of everything we do and a critical part of our mission.
A big thank you to our data entry specialist volunteers who have given countless hours of their time to help enter nontraffic data into our unique database. Learn more about our data HERE.
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NEW VIDEO! Surviving Vehicle Submersion
Kids and Car Safety produced a brand new "surviving vehicle submersion" video demonstrating what to do if your vehicle goes into water. Did you know that if you don’t get out in the first 60 seconds that it may be too late? Vehicle submersions claim the lives of far too many people who could have survived if they had just known what to do. WATCH THE VIDEO.
A huge thanks for the incredible support from Pivot Production Group, MODOT, PFD Warriors, Trident Rescue, Chuck's Wrecker service, professional rescue diver Scott Keys and the Bourbon, MO Fire Department. Finally, a very special thank you to Ian
Dunn from PFD Warriors for braving the submersion with Amber. These talented experts were there to keep her safe and ensure a smooth demonstration. We cannot thank them enough! LEARN MORE
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Hot Car Demo in DC
On the first day of summer, Kids and Car Safety, a former Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a neuroscientist, and a coalition of grieving families convened to urge immediate action on the overdue Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) about hot car tragedies.
With a striking visual display featuring 1,086 infant onesies symbolizing the number of children’s lives lost in hot cars since 1990, the group gathered across the street from the U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters building in Washington, DC. We are eternally grateful to the courageous and strong families who joined us and shared their stories.
Watch the video of the event HERE.
This alarming demonstration underscores the critical need for swift implementation of occupant detection and alert technology in all vehicles to prevent heartbreaking child hot car tragedies. Cost-effective safety solutions are readily available to automakers that can reduce these devastating yet preventable tragedies.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) missed the critical deadlines set by Congress in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The agency did not meet the December 2022 deadline for issuing the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), a first step in the regulatory process. Tragically, the NPRM is now two years overdue and is now scheduled to be released in April, 2025. Once finalized, the rule will require available and affordable technology in all new cars to help end hot car deaths.
With children at predictable and preventable risk of death and injury every day, it is urgent that NHTSA moves forward with issuing the overdue rule without further delay.
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United Nations Hot Car Meeting In Australia
Kids and Car Safety (KACS) was asked to present background information and data for the Children Left In Vehicles (CLIV) United Nations global working group in Brisbane, Australia. The working group is focused on preventing child hot car tragedies globally. Representing our organization on this global stage was a true privilege, and it has opened doors to valuable insights and connections that will undoubtedly advance our mission and the policy process.
One of the most significant discussions was around the challenge all countries face in locating reliable data on hot car deaths and injuries. KACS was able to share our approach and offer the international data we’ve documented, which seemed to be both helpful and timely.
One significant takeaway was the unwavering commitment of everyone on this committee to end the predictable and preventable tragedies of hot car deaths.
SPECIAL NOTE: We cannot thank David Schottenstein enough for believing in our vision and making this journey possible with his generous contributions to Kids and Car Safety.
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Visit to NHTSA's Testing Facility
In October, Kids and Car Safety had the distinct privilege of visiting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Vehicle Research & Test Center (VRTC) in Ohio.
We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and meticulous planning by NHTSA and the exceptional staff at the testing facility that made this eye-opening experience possible.
During our visit, we had the unique opportunity to engage with the engineers and researchers conducting cutting-edge safety testing in their laboratories. One of the highlights of the day was actively participating in demonstrations of automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems—an innovative technology revolutionizing vehicle safety.
We also experienced the power of AEB firsthand as passengers in a tractor-trailer traveling at 45 mph toward a stationary test vehicle. The truck’s automated braking system engaged seamlessly, bringing the vehicle to a safe stop before a collision occurred. Witnessing these advanced safety systems in action was truly remarkable.
Additionally, we were given the chance to operate three demonstration vehicles equipped with AEB systems in various test scenarios. These included driving toward a pedestrian dummy crossing the road, approaching a stationary vehicle, and reversing toward a pedestrian. In every instance, the AEB systems performed flawlessly, stopping the vehicles completely and preventing a potential collision.
This unforgettable experience reinforced the critical importance of continued innovation and advocacy for safety technologies. We are immensely appreciative of NHTSA's commitment to advancing these life-saving systems and look forward to seeing their widespread implementation to protect road users everywhere.
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Kids and Car Safety has been hard at work educating and saving lives
Through impactful initiatives like Look Before You Lock, Childproof Your Ride, and Surviving Vehicle Submersion, we successfully delivered life-saving safety messages to hundreds of thousands of individuals. Below are just a few examples of the meaningful impact we made throughout the year.
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KACS provided over 25,000 families with our safety education print materials last yeaar. Please check out our materials to help keep children safe in your community HERE. | |
Over 40,000 watched our educational videos gaining lifesaving knowledge. Please check out and share our videos on a variety of safety topics HERE. | |
Nearly 1,000 car seat technicians nationwide took our "Beyond Car Seat Safety" e-learning course aimed at educating professionals about litle known nontraffic vehicle dangers. The course is free, anyone can take it and it counts for a Community Education credit for techs! Check out the course HERE. | |
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Lifesavers Conference 2024
Kids and Car Safety (KACS) has been attending the Lifesavers National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities for decades and this year was another successful conference helping bring awareness to nontraffic dangers to children and others. The workshop presented by KACS was entitled, ““Eliminate Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Through Research, Education & Technology.”
In addition to the Lifesavers conference, KACS presented at nearly a dozen additional conferences and participated in numerous community events.
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State Law Updates
Three new state bills have been introduced and one passed to help prevent child hot car tragedies.
Florida Jace Lucas Leslie Act (SB 690)
The bill calls for unattended occupant alarm systems to be used in all vehicles transporting children aged 6 and under in the state of Florida. The bill calls for a public awareness campaign to educate the public about the requirement and sets minimum safety standards for technology. No other state has introduced a requirement for hot car technology in all vehicles. The bill also amends childcare licensing standards requiring them to contact families if a child does not arrive as scheduled.
Florida Ariya’s Act (SB 554) PASSED
Ariya’s Act was passed and signed by the governor. The new law designates April as “Hot Car Death Prevention Month” in the state of Florida to raise awareness about preventing hot car deaths. The bill was named after Airya who tragically lost her life after being left in a childcare provider’s vehicle. Her grandmother and family were instrumental in helping pass this important legislation and we are so proud of their efforts.
Kansas Unattended Children in Vehicles Bill (HB 2680)
In February, Kansas introduced a bill making it illegal to leave children age 8 or younger alone in vehicles. The bill passed the Committee but was not voted on in the House. We will try again this year.
Pennsylvania Gambling Bill (SB 1021)
In 2022, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board identified more than 285 reported instances involving 464 children being left alone while guardians were in casinos, many of which were left alone in vehicles.This legislation would require casinos to make reasonable efforts to inform patrons against leaving unattended minors in their vehicle, hotel room, or other locations while using casino facilities. The bill adds several means to discourage parents and guardians from taking their children to a casino facility and leaving them unattended.
Learn more about the state laws in your state HERE.
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California Child Unintentional Injury Prevention Strategic Planning
Advocates from across California united to develop a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at preventing unintentional injuries among children statewide. Collaborating with such a dedicated and passionate group of safety professionals was truly an honor. We are especially grateful for the inclusion of non-traffic dangers in this lifesaving initiative and remain deeply committed to achieving the ambitious goals together.
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New Resources for Early Childhood Educators
Kids and Car Safety was invited by the amazing national early childhood program Parents as Teachers to help develop resources on keeping children safe in and around vehicles. These resources were made available to their 8,555 parent educators serving 186,499 families in 2024. We are extremely grateful for the work they do for our little ones and for the opportunity to work with them to help bring safety messages to families through their trusted parent educators. Thank you, Parents as Teachers!
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Be Kind for Ollie, a project of Kids and Cars Safety, won child safety advocate award for region 5 in Indiana!
Oliver "Ollie" Dill was a beacon of gentleness and love for all those he encountered. The mission of Be Kind for Ollie, a project of Kids and Car Safety, is to honor his life by serving children through education, health, and other human service initiatives. With your help, Ollie's radiant spirit can endure through acts of kindness. We are so proud of the work that Ollie's family is doing to honor him. you are so deserving of this award and so much more!
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“What was that like” podcast
Real people in unreal situations.
If you’ve never heard our president and founder, Janette Fennell’s story, this is a must listen to for you!
In this episode, Janette tells the horrifying story of being kidnapped and locked in the trunk of her vehicle, completely helpless to protect their 9 month old baby from the kidnappers.
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New Episode Alert: Early Childhood Chats with Amber Rollins
Host Andy Roszak interviews Amber Rollins from Kids and Car Safety. The podcast highlights little known key child vehicle safety issues. Amber explains how the organization collects and analyzes data on nontraffic incidents, emphasizing the importance of this data in driving policy change and product redesign. Additionally, Amber provides valuable advice for parents and outlines the most pressing vehicle dangers that need more public awareness.
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