Transportation Law Commons^™

Distracted Guardians Yield Deadly Results: When Memory Fails, Additional Regulations Can Protect Childen And Animals From Vehicular Heat-Stroke, Shannon Murphy

William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review

When the sun is shining bright on a scorching ninety-degree summer day, it takes less than an hour for tragedy to strike, even in the shade. Within less than sixty minutes, the temperature inside a closed vehicle will rise rapidly from the outdoor ninety-degree mark to upwards of more than one hundred and thirty degrees. As this temperature spike takes effect, any animal or child left in a vehicle will only have about fifteen minutes before being exposed to potentially deadly conditions.

While most of us think we are incapable of accidentally leaving our beloved child or companion in the …