General Motors Press Release (April 26, 2001) on child vehicular hyperthermia deaths and technology:
"GM is moving quickly today to address this serious safety problem," said then-GM Vice Chairman Harry Pearce. "[T]he fact that these deaths are totally preventable makes them all the more tragic," he continued. GM's efforts have since been abandoned.
Thirteen years have passed. An average of 38 children die each year from hyperthermia in vehicles. A recent survey shows nearly 25% of caregivers of children under the age of 3 admit to accidentally forgetting their child in a car. This is a grave, national public policy concern and we have yet to find a solution....13 years later. In that time period, over 520 children have died, including my beloved Benjamin.
Ben was a true gift from God, and his beauty continues to shine through in our lives. I still travel each day with him in my heart, as we work to ensure other children are not needlessly lost. Here is just a glimpse of where we have been:
Who's At Fault When a Child Dies in a Hot Car, Justin Worland, Time Magazine (Time.com, September 2, 2014)
Kids and The Dangers of Hot Cars: Mom's Crusade in Wake of Family Tragedy, NBC Today's Show with Matt Lauer (September 2, 2014)
Mom on Mission to Stop Hot Car Deaths, CNN Legal View with Ashleigh Banfield (September 2, 2014)