Senator Sabini Warns of Backover Danger

“Backovers” occur when someone is struck by a car going in reverse. The victims are usually small children whose size makes them difficult for the driver to see.

There were 474 fatal backover accidents between 2001 and 2006 – nearly half of all non-traffic fatalities involving children. Even more tragically, family members are usually the drivers in these incidents, which frequently occur in residential driveways.

“With a few easy precautions, these accidents can be avoided,” Senator Sabini said. “I urge drivers to always take the time to check behind your car. Those few seconds could save a life.” 

Senator Sabini offered these tips to avoid backover accidents:

• Walk around a parked car before driving it.
• Learn the blind spots of your car.
• Teach children about blind spots — what they are and how to stay out of them.
• Know where kids are at all times when operating or about to operate a vehicle around them.
• Keep toys, sports gear and other items of interest for kids away from parked cars, including in home driveways, where many backover accidents occur.

Drivers of large vehicles such as pickup trucks and SUV’s are especially vulnerable. These cars have much larger blind spots than smaller automobiles – up to 28 feet for pickup trucks, according to ConsumerReport.org.

In 2007, the Suffolk County Legislature implemented “Alec’s Law,” the first legislation in the nation requiring car deals to give information to buyers about the dangers of backovers. Measures like this may be the best way to save lives.

“Backover injuries and deaths are tragic because they're so easy to avoid," Senator Sabini said. "If caution is taken, hundreds of kids can be spared from serious injury or death. With summer in full swing, now is the time to talk about this important problem to help save young lives."

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