Likud's Hotovely launches project to prevent parents leaving kids in cars

In wake of the death of two children this week, Transportation Ministry to distribute safety kits at infant care centers.

By LAHAV HARKOV
Shattered glass, baby car seat (photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
Shattered glass, baby car seat
(photo credit: IDF Spokesperson)
Parents will receive safety kits to help prevent them from forgetting their children in their cars, Deputy Transportation Minister Tzipi Hotovely announced at an emergency conference on the topic Wednesday.
Hotovely called the conference because two babies were killed within 24 hours this week, after their parents forgot them in their sweltering cars.
The kits include a key chain and a strap that attaches to the steering wheel with the message “someone is waiting in the back.” This would remind the driver at the end of the ride that there is a child in the back seat, Hotovely explained.
“I instructed the Road Safety Authority to start a campaign on the topic that will be launched in two weeks. In addition, the Transportation Committee is cooperating with the Education Ministry to warn students and parents,” Hotovely stated.
Knesset Committee for Children’s Rights chairwoman Orly Levy-Abecassis (Likud Beytenu) accused the Transportation Ministry of not doing anything to prevent children from being forgotten.
“We discussed this issue in the last Knesset and last month in my committee. I met with Ron Moskowitz, director-general of the Road Safety Authority, and he said it’s not worth the money to start a campaign,” Levy- Abecassis said. “It’s a shame that saving the lives of children is prevented for economic reasons.”
Hotovely explained that the plan will be implemented soon, and the ministry is in the process of authorizing standards for warning systems, which could take months.
In the meantime, parents will be given simpler systems, which attach to the steering wheel and car keys, at Tipat Halav well-baby clinics, in the next few weeks, the deputy minister said.
Deputy Education Minister Avi Wortzman promised that the matter will be discussed in road-safety programs in schools.
In addition, within three years most parents are to undergo a roadsafety seminar through the Education Ministry.