As the temperature inside a vehicle can rise as high as 85 degrees Celsius even when it’s only 30 degrees outside, children and elderly people are urged to use extra caution during the summer. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Following a case of vehicle entrapment last year which saw a four-year-old trapped in a school bus in the sweltering heat for eight hours, a number of South Korean lawmakers have proposed an amendment to the country’s Automobile Management Act.
Yu Dong-soo, a member of the Democratic Party of South Korea as well as the Trade, Industry and Energy Committee made public the proposed amendment on Wednesday, which will make it a requirement for carmakers to incorporate a security alarm system in their vehicles to prevent drivers from neglecting passengers including children before car doors are closed.
Last July, news that a four-year-old in Gwangju was trapped in a school bus for eight hours after the driver left the vehicle with the child alone inside made headlines across the nation.
Having been trapped in a heated bus when the temperature was over 35 degrees Celsius, the child has unfortunately yet to regain consciousness.
As the temperature inside a vehicle can rise as high as 85 degrees Celsius even when it’s only 30 degrees outside, children and elderly people are urged to use extra caution during the summer.
Yu, who is among the lawmakers who proposed the amendment, is hopeful that the new legislation is a step in the right direction.
“The new bill will curb vehicle entrapment accidents that cost lives during the summer,” Yu said.
Following a case of vehicle entrapment last year which saw a four-year-old trapped in a school bus in the sweltering heat for eight hours, a number of South Korean lawmakers have proposed an amendment to the country’s Automobile Management Act. (Image: Yonhap)
According to reports, the minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is set to decide on which types of vehicles will be covered by the newly proposed automobile bill.
In the U.S. alone, around 36 children die after being trapped in a car every year, according to a report by the National Safety Council.
Hyunsu Yim (hyunsu@koreabizwire.com)
