Bush Signs Auto Safety Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- President Bush has signed a bill aimed at improving auto safety for children.

The legislation includes measures to reduce backovers and accidents involving power windows, the AP reported. The Senate approved the bill in February in response to incidents of children being accidentally backed over by cars with blind spots, strangled by power windows, or struck by cars rolling out of the parked position.

The new law requires that by 2010, new vehicles will have brake interlock systems to prevent a vehicle from shifting out of park unless the brake pedal is depressed.

There are also provisions to encourage automakers to offer additional mirrors, sensors or cameras to help prevent backovers.