Got Power Windows? Got Kids or Pets? Is This a Dangerous Combo?
A lot of email crosses my desk every day. There's all the usual blah-blah, but some of it catches my eye. Last week, I decided to accept the one-minute survey request by KidsandCars.org, an organization whose mission is "to assure no child dies or is injured in a non-traffic motorvehicle related event." (That translates to is trying to prevent kids from being backed over, trapped in a hot car or trunk, or strangled by a power window, among other horrible things.)
The survey was about power windows, and since I have kids and a dog, and since the organization is trying to collect data, I went for it. Ironically, the one person I had hurt with our car's power window was my husband, who had his arm hanging in the open passenger-side window when I spaced out and closed it on him from the driver's side. Oops. (Sorry, honey.)
According to NHTSA, 2,000 people go to the E.R. every year with power window-related injuries, and there are many more whose injuries never get reported. Since 1990, dozens of kids have been killed by power windows, most of them age 3 and younger. This happens in many cases because young children can accidentally -- and too easily -- activate the rocker switches with their knee or other body part.
KidsandCars.org would like to see power windows behave like minivan and elevator doors that open when they sense an object. This presents a problem for manufacturers, who feel that pressure sensitive ("anti-pinch" or "auto-reverse") technology would result in cars that cost more to make. KidsandCars.org president Janette Fennell says auto suppliers have estimated that it would add $7 - $9 per window to add such technology.
According to Fennell, that extra cost hasn't stopped the technology from being incorporated in Europe, where more than 90 percent of the models have auto-reverse mechanisms. Fewer than 10 percent of GM, Ford and Chrysler American versions do, she says. Fennell cites the Ford Focus as an example of a car that comes with the technology as a standard feature when sold in Europe, while the U.S. version doesn't even offer it as an option.
Interestingly, all VWs sold in the U.S. already incorporate this technology, and you can find it on some Volvo, Lexus and Kia models. Auto-reverse is already a feature of some minivan and SUV tailgates.
"Auto makers need to stop accusing devastated parents of being negligent," said Fennell. "According to a Harris poll conducted in 2003, 78% of parents are unaware of how dangerous power windows can be to children. Since the definition of negligence is 'knowledge of a danger and choosing to ignore it,' it's the automakers that are negligent, because they have known about this problem for over 35 years and have not fixed the problem."
In fact, there is a long and sordid history in the battle over this topic, but that's for another time.
The problem of window strangulation may decrease over time, because the federal Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Act -- nicknamed the Kids and Cars Act because of Fennell's instrumental role in getting it passed -- has called on the DOT to either take action on this issue or explain itself to Congress.
Additionally, the Act required carmakers to replace "rocker" or "toggle" window switches with safer, "pull-up/push-down" switches (like in the picture at left) that need to be consciously activated by the 2009 model year. While that will help prevent children or pets hurting themselves accidentally in new cars, it doesn't solve the problem of someone else
in the car (like me) accidentally injuring them.
What do you think? Should all vehicles -- or even just all passenger vehicles -- be required to have such technology? Would you be willing to pay a little more for it? Do you think it's more important than, say, paying for heated or cooled coffee cup holders or an MP3 connection, both of which cost the automaker (and thus the consumer) money? How does having children (or not) influence your opinion?
Do you know anyone who was injured or had a 'near miss' involving a power window? Tell us your story.
- Posted by
- Joanne Helperin July 27, 2009, 10:00 AM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Car Safety, Life with Cars
- Technorati Tags:
- Anti-Pinch, Auto-Reverse, Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Act, Janette Fennell, Kids and Cars.org, Power Windows
It should definitely be standard. For $40 a car, you can't beat the value. Accountants need to stop designing vehicles. If even one child is saved, it justifies the cost of adding it to all cars.
Hi Joanne, I think we've had this conversation before.
Yes, all vehicles should be required to have this technology, and I will be willing to pay extra for it. I don't have any children......
There already mechanisms that can prevent (most of) accidents like this: the switch that prevents opertion of the rear windows. But the fact is that, especially in the summer, it can be all too easy to deactivate that switch. As long as the cost of these auto-reverse mechanisms are reasonable (say, less than $200) and won't result in major reliability problems, I think the cost of adding them is worth it.
In my line of work I have to design solutions for every reported problem. Sometimes it's difficult to come up with something to thwart deliberate attempts to muck things up, so I'm surprised that this simple solution hasn't yet been fully adopted by automakers who sell in the US. It's a no-brainer.
"Since 1990, dozens of kids have been killed by power windows, most of them age 3 and younger. This happens in many cases because young children can accidentally -- and too easily -- activate the rocker switches with their knee or other body part."
Kids younger then 3 should be strapped into car seats. If so they cannot push the button with a knee or get anything worse then a finger through the window opening.
Anything that makes cars safer is good but the best safety feature is a responsible parent. I suspect this issue has a lot to do with people refusing to accept the childs injury was their fault.
I've never had an issue with the kids or dogs getting caught or pinched in a window. That said, there have been times when driving I hit the wrong window switch when approaching a toll and all the sudden the kids send something flying out the window.
It's sad that we even have to ask the question. We're not talking high tech here. I am surprised to learn that there is any resistance to such a sensible and inexpensive feature.
The only issue I have with something like this, and it IS a good safety feature, is that as soon as you do something to make people think something is completely safe, stupidity manages to find a way around it. That being said, I supposedly have this feature on one of my vehicles. I say supposedly because there's no way I'm going to test it. I would LOVE to know that it works, but I don't want to stick an object in the way of a closing window and risk damage to the window unit. Those regulators and things are pricey!
I think re-designing the switches is a better solution. I have these in my car and it's virtually impossible to accidentally activate the windows upwards. Also most modern cars have driver controls to lock out the window switches. I can also think of times when you DON'T want the windows to refuse to close.
Firstwagon, aren't you being a bit "blame the victim"? If you've ever been the parent of small children (I'm guessing you are a young male), sometimes you need to sit with toddlers out in the car while the other parent is doing errands, such as a supermarket or mall parking lot. Often that means the kids are running around inside the car while the key is in the accessory position to run the radio and windows. While I'm conscientious about keeping the rear windows in the "off" position, it's possible to make a mistake and forget. A good engineer knows that human error happens, and compensates. It's only $40.
I'm iffy on this one - then again, I don't have small children, and when I did, I just put the child safety window lock feature on, meaning they couldn't roll down the window from the back seat. And, as others mentioned, my kids were always in car seats and couldn't reach the switches. Quite frankly, I was *more* worried that I would step out (say, to get the mail on my way out) and the kids would lock themselves in the car (switch easier to reach). Even though my kids are all now driving themselves, when I get out of my car to do something like grab the mail, I always leave my door open - the paranoia remains.
"It's only $40" - while I understand that, there are many awesome features that are "only $x," which added together can make a vehicle less affordable. I do understand the issue, however, and think it'd be a great optional feature.
I personally have not had this problem as I've never had a vehicle with the rocker type window switch. I agree with mr_shiftright that a redesign would be a better solution.
dharbin
I am male but not young (46) and I have 2 small childen (6 and 8).
And I'm not blaming the victim, I'm blaming the parent. The child is the victim here.
As I said, anything that improves safety is good but the final responibility is the parents, not some nameless engineer that people would love to assume will remove every conceiveable risk.
My suggestion is never leave the car with the keys and the kids still in it.