MEDIA ALERT News Conference: Wednesday, May 12, 2021
 
For more information, contact:
Amber Rollins, director, 913-732-2792, Amber@KidsAndCars.org
Janette Fennell, president & founder, 415-336-9279, Janette@KidsAndCars.org
Pete Daniels, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, 301-442-2249, pdaniels@saferoads.org
The Hot Cars Act Reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to Require Lifesaving Occupant Detection and Alert Technology
in ALL New Cars
WHAT:
Safety advocates and parents and families who unknowingly left children in hot cars will join Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH-13th) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9th) to announce their reintroduction of the Hot Cars Act – a bill requiring new vehicles to be equipped with inexpensive, existing technology that can detect the presence of an occupant inside when the engine is off and alert the driver and/or others.
 
Almost 1,000 children have died from heatstroke in hot cars since 1990. In 2018 and 2019, hot car deaths reached record levels with over 50 children killed each year. With temperatures rising as summer quickly approaches, the risk is even greater. Many factors can contribute to loving and responsible parents unknowingly leaving a child behind in a car, including change in routine, simple distractions, stress or fatigue. 
 
 
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 12 at 11:00 a.m. EST
 
 
WHERE:
Zoom Meeting
Participants must register at the link below in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
 
 
WHO:
Moderator: Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
 
Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), The Hot Cars Act sponsor*
 
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Chairwoman of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, The Hot Cars Act sponsor*
 
Janette Fennell, President and Founder, Kids And Car Safety
 
David Diamond, PhD, Professor of Psychology, Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida
 
Jamie Dill & Andrew Dill, PhD (Evansville, IN), The Dill family lost their 3-year-old son Oliver “Ollie” Dill on July 9, 2019 after he was unknowingly left in the car by his father on a day when their routine was anything but normal.
 
Norman Collins Sr., PhD (Charleston, SC), Dr. Collins lost his grandson, Norman Lee Van Collins III (Bishop), on May 29, 2011 at only 3-months-old after a miscommunication between Bishop’s father and a fellow churchgoer about who was bringing baby Bishop into church.
 
Video of hot cars detection and alert technology will be shown.
 
*Participating via pre-taped remarks.
 
NOTE: Local interviews may be available with advocates or families in your state. Please contact Amber Rollins at 913-205-6973 or Amber@KidsAndCars.org for more information regarding availability and scheduling.
 
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Kids and Car Safety is a national nonprofit dedicated to saving the lives of young children and pets in and around vehicles.
 
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement, and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to improve road safety in the U.S. Advocates’ mission is the adoption of federal and state laws, policies and programs that prevent motor vehicle crashes, save lives, reduce injuries, and contain costs.