Hot Cars Are Deadly: Check, Protect And Save

Enjoying your summer? It's been a hot one this year. August has just begun, and according to the National Weather Service in Binghamton, the high temperature for the next several days will be low to mid 80s, common for this time of the year.

Dog Days Of August

The New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee notes that August is traditionally considered the height of the summer season. And with that, the GTSC is warning parents and caregivers to make sure they do not leave children alone in a hot vehicle. That goes for pets as well.

Even if the temperature isn't unseasonably high, the time left in a car does not need to be very long to be dangerous. Temperatures inside a vehicle can quickly rise even with the windows partly open.

Read More: Read Up On Recent Binghamton Area Local News

The GTSC noted that at least 14 children in New York State have died since 1990 as a result of heatstroke after being left in a vehicle, according to data from the New York State Department of State.

I urge parents and other caregivers to be aware of the risk of heatstroke and to take steps to prevent a needless tragedy. We share Governor Hochul’s priorities of public safety and believe that your family is our fight. Let’s keep our families safe by not letting a moment of forgetfulness result in a lifetime of heartbreak. Always check your back seat when you exit and lock your vehicle, to protect children, vulnerable adults, and pets, and save a life! - New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt

 

Prevent Vehicular Heatstroke

Advice from the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee:

• Never leave a child (or pet) unattended in a car
• Always double-check your car before you lock it, including the back seat
• Make sure children know not to get into cars without an adult
• If you see a child alone in a locked car, call 911 immediately

Throughout the summer, the GTSC has been conducting a statewide public awareness campaign promoting heatstroke awareness, reminding New Yorkers that “Hot Cars Are Deadly” and to “Check. Protect. Save.”

National Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nationally, 31 children died in 2025 of heatstroke in vehicles. Nearly three in 10 heatstroke deaths happen when an unattended child gains access to an unlocked vehicle.

To learn more about heatstroke awareness and prevention, visit the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee website.

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