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Spot the Tot: Preventing backovers and frontovers

Spot the Tot: Preventing backovers and frontovers

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It's summer, which means your kids, families, and neighborhoods are likely buzzing with activity. Children are playing outside, and summer weekends and holidays are full of parties, vacations, and tons of fun. Unfortunately, this is also the most common time for accidents.

The terms backover and frontover refer to when an infant or child is accidentally rolled over by a moving vehicle in a driveway or parking lot. Though this may seem like a rare occurrence, it happens regularly. In fact, in the warm weather months, a Utah child is run over in a driveway or parking lot every seven days.

  • The most common victim age is one year old, and children under five are the most at risk.
  • Trucks, vans, and SUVs have the worst front and rear visibility.
  • Most accidents happen in the mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Most accidents occur when a parent or guardian is driving.
These accidents are tragic and can happen to anyone, but are preventable by taking a few precautions — and only a few seconds. Here are some tips to prevent backovers and frontovers:

Reduce blind spots:

  • Make sure side and rear mirrors are always properly adjusted.
  • Adjust your driver's seat as high as needed to see clearly out the rear window.
  • Have a backup camera? Great! But remember: even backup cameras have blind spots.

Spot the Tot

It's important to teach your children to not play in, under, or around vehicles. Make sure you know where all of your children are before you start to drive away, but with a full house — or a full neighborhood — you can never assume that everyone is out of harm's way.

Every driver should follow these simple steps before leaving a driveway or parking lot:

1. Walk around the vehicle

Take 10 seconds to ensure the area is clear by walking all the around your vehicle before getting in the driver's seat.

2. Listen and be aware

Turn down your radio, roll down your windows, and actively listen to what's happening outside your vehicle.

3. Eliminate distractions

Put your phone in your purse or pocket before heading out and leave it out of sight once you're in the car. Turn down your radio and stop conversations as you prepare to leave your parking spot.

Learn more about our Spot the Tot program at PrimaryChildrens.org/SpotTheTot.

Spot the Tot: Preventing backovers and frontovers

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