WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement on the Auto Alliance and Global Automakers’ commitment to install rear seat reminder systems in new vehicles.

“I sponsored the HOT CARS Act because I believe we can do more to save children’s lives,” said Wicker. “Installing rear seat reminder technology and increasing public awareness about the dangers of leaving children in unattended vehicles are important steps in preventing heatstroke deaths. I am glad to see the auto industry unite behind our legislative efforts by voluntarily agreeing to install this technology in new vehicles.”

In May Chairman Wicker and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, together with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., ranking member of the Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection, introduced the Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in the Rear Seat (HOT CARS) Act of 2019 to help prevent injuries and fatalities when individuals are left in overheated vehicles. This latest version of the legislation followed a similar bill from the previous Congress. Following the committee’s approval of the HOT CARS Act, today the automakers committed to add rear seat reminder systems in new vehicles by year 2024 or sooner.

To read the full bill, click here.