S
safepowerwindows
Guest
My three-year-old son Steven would be alive today if he lived in Germany and not our hometown of Ottumwa, Iowa. That's because he was killed by a power window in an American-made car bought here in the United States.
A chilly evening on January 7, 1998: My family lingered at church, chatting with our fellow congregants. My wife Bethany had turned the car on to warm the interior for the children. She then went to find Steven, not realizing that he had somehow climbed into the car on his own and lowered the power window to wave at friends.
His knee inadvertently pressed down the power window switch, activating the window. The powerful force closed on his tiny throat, and soon after he died from his injuries.
My family was utterly devastated. And we are not alone in this tragedy. Power windows have killed and injured at least 100 children. All these deaths occurred in American automobiles.
Ford, GM, and Chrysler can protect our kids and prevent these tragedies by installing safer power windows and window switches. But they choose not to.
It's not as though they lack the technology. American automakers are more than happy to rig such safety features in cars they sell overseas, not because of regulations but because European consumers expect these safety protections.
Does that mean Ford, GM, and Chrysler consider European children more precious than American children?
On a dime, Detroit automakers can eliminate the risk of accidental death or injury from power windows and spare families like mine the heart-break of losing a child to such a senseless and preventable tragedy. But they won't do it on their own. They need YOU to make them do it.
It's time we told Detroit to do the right thing:
-Replace "rocker" or "toggle" power window switches—that a child can inadvertently activate–with safer "pull-up/push down" switches that must be lifted up to raise the window.
-Install an auto-reverse function that stops a window when it detects an obstruction. This is same technology now used in garage doors and elevators.
Please forward this email on to alert friends and families of this danger. Encourage them to add their voice to our public safety campaign by emailing Detroit automakers directly at http://www.kidsandcars.org. KIDS AND CARS is leading this campaign as a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make cars safer for kids. You can also write or phone American automakers directly at the following addresses:
Mr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman and President
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
1000 Chrysler Drive
Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2766
Phone: 248-576-5741, Fax: 248-512-9368
dieter.zetsche@daimlerchrysler.com
Mr. William C. Ford, CEO and Chairman of the Board
Ford Motor Company
The American Road
Dearborn, MI 48126
Phone: 313-322-3000, Fax: 313-845-6073
wford@ford.com
Mr. Rick Wagoner, President and CEO
General Motors Corporation
100 Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI 48265
Phone: 313-556-5000, Fax: 248-696-7300
daniel.flores@gm.com
And let your representatives in Congress know it is unacceptable to allow even one more tragedy that automakers can easily prevent. To contact your Senator and Congressional representative, visit the following URL and enter your zip code: www.congress.org.
Sincerely,
Kevin Falkner
P.S. We have succeeded before. From seat belt laws to air bags to interior trunk releases, we know that when American consumers speak out, the auto industry listens. With your help, we can do it again.
A chilly evening on January 7, 1998: My family lingered at church, chatting with our fellow congregants. My wife Bethany had turned the car on to warm the interior for the children. She then went to find Steven, not realizing that he had somehow climbed into the car on his own and lowered the power window to wave at friends.
His knee inadvertently pressed down the power window switch, activating the window. The powerful force closed on his tiny throat, and soon after he died from his injuries.
My family was utterly devastated. And we are not alone in this tragedy. Power windows have killed and injured at least 100 children. All these deaths occurred in American automobiles.
Ford, GM, and Chrysler can protect our kids and prevent these tragedies by installing safer power windows and window switches. But they choose not to.
It's not as though they lack the technology. American automakers are more than happy to rig such safety features in cars they sell overseas, not because of regulations but because European consumers expect these safety protections.
Does that mean Ford, GM, and Chrysler consider European children more precious than American children?
On a dime, Detroit automakers can eliminate the risk of accidental death or injury from power windows and spare families like mine the heart-break of losing a child to such a senseless and preventable tragedy. But they won't do it on their own. They need YOU to make them do it.
It's time we told Detroit to do the right thing:
-Replace "rocker" or "toggle" power window switches—that a child can inadvertently activate–with safer "pull-up/push down" switches that must be lifted up to raise the window.
-Install an auto-reverse function that stops a window when it detects an obstruction. This is same technology now used in garage doors and elevators.
Please forward this email on to alert friends and families of this danger. Encourage them to add their voice to our public safety campaign by emailing Detroit automakers directly at http://www.kidsandcars.org. KIDS AND CARS is leading this campaign as a nonprofit organization whose mission is to make cars safer for kids. You can also write or phone American automakers directly at the following addresses:
Mr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman and President
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
1000 Chrysler Drive
Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2766
Phone: 248-576-5741, Fax: 248-512-9368
dieter.zetsche@daimlerchrysler.com
Mr. William C. Ford, CEO and Chairman of the Board
Ford Motor Company
The American Road
Dearborn, MI 48126
Phone: 313-322-3000, Fax: 313-845-6073
wford@ford.com
Mr. Rick Wagoner, President and CEO
General Motors Corporation
100 Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI 48265
Phone: 313-556-5000, Fax: 248-696-7300
daniel.flores@gm.com
And let your representatives in Congress know it is unacceptable to allow even one more tragedy that automakers can easily prevent. To contact your Senator and Congressional representative, visit the following URL and enter your zip code: www.congress.org.
Sincerely,
Kevin Falkner
P.S. We have succeeded before. From seat belt laws to air bags to interior trunk releases, we know that when American consumers speak out, the auto industry listens. With your help, we can do it again.
