Warren, MI -- Trap-Resistant Trunk Kits that are designed to help prevent trunk entrapments, as well as provide a means of escape for those who may become entrapped, are now available from General Motors and Saturn retailers. In March, GM became the first manufacturer to begin offering dealer-installed kits for past model cars. The kits will fit approximately 19 million vehicles on the road, including all Saturn models and most GM family cars dating back to the 1990 model year. The kits will cost customers $50 installed. The kits also can be ordered as a dealer-installed option on most new GM family cars and all new Saturns.
"We need to continue to inform people of this issue, and let them know that dealer installed kits are available," said Roy Roberts, vice president and group executive of GM's North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "In the past week, GM purchased advertising space in USA Today and the Washington Post to make people more aware of the issue of trunk entrapment and that Trap-Resistant Trunk Kits are available through GM and Saturn dealers.
"In just a few weeks, the National SAFE KIDS Campaign will initiate public service announcements about the trunk entrapment issue," added Roberts. These public service announcements will be funded by the Saturn Corporation.
The tragic deaths of 11 children last summer motivated GM to make available affordable Trap-Resistant Trunk Kits before the 1999 hot weather season. Working with psychologist Christine Wood, Ph.D. of Exponent/Failure Analysis Associates, GM commissioned behavioral research with 400 children, and found that devices adults may use to open a dark, locked trunk may not be intuitive or attractive to children. The key design elements dictated by GM's behavioral research, and included in the Trap-Resistant Trunk Kit, are a modified trunk latch that must be manually reset before the trunk lid will close and latch, an interior release handle that provides a means of escape for those who may become locked in a car trunk, and rear seat tether straps to help prevent children from accessing the trunk from the passenger compartment.
"Preventing inadvertent entrapments of children is a primary element in GM's system since our testing demonstrated that no interior release device alone works well for all children," continued Roberts. "Our behavioral research also indicated that lighting was important to draw the attention of children. However, the lighting must be indirect and soft so as not to look 'hot' to children."
Interested customers should contact their local GM or Saturn retailer to order the kits and arrange for installation.
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