Simple Auto Appliances Can Help Prevent Tragedy
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: May 4, 2012
All it takes is a small child or anyone to walk into a reversing vehicle.
"Kiddos don't understand safety and that's why we as parents and grandparents need to take the extra step to make sure that the kids are safe," said Sparky Dean, Texas State Trooper.
An extra step that could help prevent a tragic run-over can begin with a trip to the local auto store.
"Backup alarms are great because it has people to hear somebodies backing up somewhere I'd better stop," said Pamela Goodrich, a salesperson at O'Reilly Auto Parts.
Alarms like this one can help warn pedestrians that a car is backing up, but there are also steps drivers can take to ensure they have more control.
"Cameras would be excellent for children because children's focusing on what they're doing and they're not focusing on whats in front of them or behind them," said Goodrich.
The camera attaches to the trunk of your car, giving you much more visibility so you can see anything or anyone coming from all sides.
"If you have a pet or a child darting behind your vehicle as you're backing up cameras would be very beneficial," said Dean.
Auto appliance saleswoman Pamela Goodrich says the price for cameras has gone down significantly in the past few years.
You can now purchase a camera for less than $100, which is a price she says is worth paying for.
There are even cheaper options.
Additional mirrors can be mounted on the hood of a car to give extra visibility to drivers.
"You've seen them on the mail carrier trucks to where they can see the back end off of the front mirrors," said Goodrich.
And you can get them for less than $10.
Of course, there's always the cheapest option the classic walk-through inspection.
"Walk around your vehicle to make sure you know there's not a tricycle, skates, a child playing back there," said Dean.
Appliances like these that may not stop all accidents, but they could help prevent just one.
"Even though those things are pricey that's the minimal cost when you're looking at the price of a small child that way," said Dean.







