Drive
RAC Roadside Assistance rescued 585 children and pets from locked cars this past year.
by Mandy Walsh
Published
2 min read
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by Mandy Walsh
Published
Text size
In this episode, we chat to Warren Mansell, Professor of Mental Health at Curtin University, to unpack what’s happening in the brain, and Mark Dring, RAC Roadside Patrol, for his experience on the ground.
We’re in our cars every day — to work, school, the shops — and most of the time, we don’t even think about getting there. Our minds switch to autopilot.
But sometimes, all it takes is a moment’s distraction or a break in routine, and that autopilot can short-circuit leading to a child or pet being left behind in the car. And when it’s hot, the temperature inside a vehicle can double in minutes, with devastating consequences.
It’s not as uncommon as you might think. Here in WA, RAC Roadside Assistance rescued 585 children and pets from locked cars this past year. And it’s not just kids and animals — some adults have had to be rescued too, after accidentally locking themselves inside their vehicle.
To shed some light on why this happens, and what’s being done to prevent it, we chatted to Professor Warren Mansell from Curtin University, and RAC Roadside Patrol Mark Dring, who’s seen these rescues firsthand, in the latest episode of the Horizons by RAC podcast.
00:00 The Reality of Leaving Kids and Pets in Cars
01:00 Why Do We Forget?
01:26 The Brain's Automation and Everyday Life
04:12 Real-Life Rescue Examples
07:23 How Quickly Cars Heat Up
10:39 Preventing Lock-Ins
25:52 How Technology and Routine can Help
32:53 What to Do if You See a Child or Pet Locked in a Car
