Safety advocates seek hot car warnings

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. automobile safety regulators are considering a proposal to require the installation of warning systems to prevent children from being left in cars.

Janette Fenell, president of Kids and Cars, wants the warning system that now tells drivers and passengers to buckle up to be modified to sound when a child is still strapped in after the driver gets out and locks the doors, USA Today reports. Other advocacy groups are also urging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to change the rules or Congress to include the requirement in a new highway bill.

"If you're going to have a reminder system for people to buckle up, why not remind them if they haven't taken the child out of the seat?" said Jackie Gillan, vice president of the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

At least 41 children have died this year after being left in hot cars. While much of the United States has endured record-breaking heat, safety advocates say closed cars sitting in the sun quickly become dangerously hot even in cooler weather.