Blumenthal Re-Introducing 'Hot Cars' Legislation

VERNON, CT — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) used a Vernon auto dealership as a backdrop Tuesday to announce the re-introduction of legislati0n that would help alert drivers to someone who may be left in the rear seat of a car on a hot day.

The announcement was made at Carter Chevrolet in Vernon.

The bill would make a rear seat reminder required equipment industrywide. It already is standard equipment on a number of vehicles made since 2017. The "Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in Rear Seats Act, known more casually as the "Hot Cars Act" would require automobile manufacturers to include an alert system to remind drivers to check the rear seat for passengers when a vehicle is turned off.

Blumenthal said that, in 2018, 52 infants and children, ranging from a month old to 5 years, died from being left in a hot vehicle. That was up from 43 in 2017 and the "unacceptable" yearly average of 38 fatalities, he said.

"It's about looking before locking. Every parent has an errand to run and it's an issue I've encountered as a parent," Blumenthat said. "It happens in the summer — we all know it happens. Cars car reach 120 degrees routinely. They can become human ovens."

Blumenthal was joined by Vernon police, the owners of Carter Chevrolet and state auto industry officials.

"It's common sense legislation," Vernon Police Department Spokesman Lt. William Meier said. "One of the worst calls a first-responder can face is a child in a hot car."

Blumenthal said the warning applies to seniors and dogs as well. He hopes the bill can pass during the current session.

It's something that can easily be added to a car's computer system, he added, saying the feature is not brand-exclusive. It should not dramatically drive-up prices, Blumenthal said.

"It's like adding a rear view mirror," he said.

Blumenthal and Carter staffers demonstrated the feature with 13-month-old Elliott Rios, the son of Carter sales associate Miguel Rios. Once a running car is shut off, a warning signal sounds and a display on the dashboard instructs the driver to check the back seat.

(Chris Dehnel | Patch Staff)

Auto industry officials said they would also be lobbying for, on the state level, protection for those who take action after encountering a child — or anyone — left in a hot vehicle.