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2017 GMC Acadia Features New Alert System Aimed at Preventing Heatstroke Deaths

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GMC has unveiled the new mid-size 2017 Acadia at the Detroit Auto Show

The new 2017 GMC Acadia was revealed at the Detroit Auto Show this week, and while much will be made of its sleeker and smaller body, one of its biggest innovations may be an industry-first feature that will ideally help prevent heatstroke deaths related to children being left in hot cars.

The new Acadia features a driver alert system that will ostensibly remind drivers to check the back seat if they opened the rear doors prior to starting their trip. According to GM Executive Vice President, Global Product Development, Purchasing, and Supply Chain Mark Reuss, the system “does not detect the presence of a child in the back seat but as a simple extra reminder to look in the rear seat on the way out of the vehicle regardless of what may be there.”

It was noted, however, that further development of the technology could ultimately lead to the addition of some sort of motion-detection feature that would detect the presence of children (or pets) left in cars.

“Too many children are inadvertently left behind in vehicles, often with tragic results. It’s hard to fathom but it does happen, leading to dozens of fatal heatstrokes in children under 14 every year,” Reuss added.

The Acadia was said to have been chosen as the launching pad for this feature as it is a popular choice among families.

News Source: Automotive News (subscription required)