After tragic death of child, experts say new cars will have more safety standards

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City family is planning a funeral for their little boy who died in their driveway Monday night. The child's father accidently backed over his body, and police report the child died instantly.

Benjamin Kyle Thompson lived a short life. He would have been 3 years old in November. Thompson’s family said they hope in death he will inspire change.

The Thompsons did not have backup cameras or sensors on their truck when Benjamin darted behind his dad's Ford trying to get across the driveway to his toys.

RELATED | Boy, 2, killed in KC driveway accident: http://tinyurl.com/9ne33hk

Family members said the child's father looked in his rear-view and side mirrors, but did not see Benjamin when he unknowingly backed over him.

The family wanted to speak to other parents Tuesday, even in their grief. Benjamin’s grandmother, Wanda Thompson, was tearful when sharing her advice for parents.

"Please make sure they're not behind you when you back up," pleaded Thompson.

Every week in the U.S. a child is killed or hurt in an accident like this, according to the safety organization KidsandCars.org . Benjamin is the 52nd child to die this way in 2012.

The father's vehicle was a Ford F-150. According to Consumer Reports, the back-up blind zone in that pickup truck can be up to 45 feet.

The local KidsandCars.org chapter said mirrors are never enough to tell a driver if someone as little as Benjamin is standing behind the vehicle.

A KidsandCars.org public safety announcement shows 62 children sitting behind another vehicle who are invisible to the driver looking in a side or rear view mirror.

“It doesn't make sense. We wouldn't buy a vehicle that we couldn't see at 20 to 60 feet in front of us," said Amber Rollins, a spokeswoman with Kids and Cars.

The government has decided to mandate new rear view safety standards in all new cars starting in 2014. Kidsandcars.org said that will likely mean backup cameras will be installed in every vehicle.

To discover a vehicle's blind zone or how to retrofit a car with backup equipment, log on to http://www.kidsandcars.org .

Donations are being accepted for the Thompson family for funeral expenses at Park Lawn Funeral Homes. Those wanting to donate can call 816-523-1234.