SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Senator or Representative (last name):
I am writing to you about a tragic, yet solvable, problem which we need your leadership to resolve. More than 800 children have died in hot cars since 1990. This tragic statistic includes the deaths of precious children right here in our state.
This problem will continue until technology to alert the driver once the car is shut off is put in all cars – because no one thinks this could happen to them.
On June 7, 2017, the Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in Rear Seats Act (HOT CARS Act of 2017), H.R. 2801, was introduced by Representatives Tim Ryan (D-OH), Peter King (R-NY) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). On July 31, 2017 a companion bill S.1666 was introduced in the Senate by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Senator Al Franken (D-MN) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS).
Sadly, since the bill was introduced in June, fifteen (15) more children have died bringing the total this year to 30 and there will certainly be more in the summer days ahead. That’s a 20% increase based on last year at this time. These deaths can be prevented.
We urge you to cosponsor this lifesaving bill to prevent children from being needlessly killed and injured when left alone in vehicles. We don’t want any more families to experience the horrific and painful loss so many families are currently living with.
While it may seem unthinkable, scientific research and the findings of neuroscience experts show that many factors including work demands, lack of sleep or a change in routine, can lead to tragedies of children being left behind by parents, family members or child care providers. The HOT CARS Act is a commonsense bill that requires the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) to issue a final rule for a reminder system to alert a driver if a child is left unattended in a vehicle. It sets a reasonable deadline for agency action. Driver reminder systems in cars already are used for several components such as headlights, keys and doors.
This legislation is supported by over 25 leading public health, safety, consumer and law enforcement organizations. Below is a complete list of organizations supporting The HOT CARS Act of 2017 (H.R. 2801 / S. 1666).
Thank you for your consideration of cosponsoring the HOT CARS Act. With your leadership and support these needless and tragic deaths can be curtailed.
Sincerely,
Your name
Your city, state
Contact information
Organizations in Support of the HOT CARS Act of 2017
(Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in Rear Seats Act)
Advocates for Health Economics and Development (AHEAD CA)
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Public Health Association
American Trauma Society
CA Unintentional Injury Prevention Strategic Plan Project Co-Chair
California Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health
Center for Auto Safety
Center for Injury Research and Prevention at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Child Injury Prevention Alliance
Consumer Federation of America
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety
Consumers Union
Emergency Nurses Association
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
International Association of Fire Chiefs
KidsAndCars.org
Kids In Danger
National Coalition for Safer Roads
National Consumers League
National Safety Council
National Troopers Coalition
National Volunteer Fire Council
Public Citizen
Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Ride News Publications
Society for the Advancement of Violence and Injury Research
Trauma Foundation
