In the United States, approximately 729 children have lost their lives from heatstroke – sadly, after being locked in vehicles alone by mistake during the day – since 1998. Most of these incidents happened during summer.

Such tragedy has happened right here in Malaysia too, and it can happen almost at any time of the year considering our climate and weather. While it is easy to blame the child’s guardian, the fact of the matter is, there are just too many distractions in the stressful modern world. Just look at the number of people who cross the street while looking at their phones.

Nissan has a provided a solution for this – the Rear Door Alert (RDA). The idea was conceived after a less morbid scenario when Elsa Foley and Marlene Mendoza, industrial and mechanical engineers respectively (and mothers) worked on the idea. You see, Marlene had on one occasion left a pan of lasagne in the back seat of her car one night after a long day at the office, which prompted her to question, “what if that had been something else back there?”

They presented the idea and the Nissan Technical Centre North America has perfected it, which is now available as standard equipment in the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. The feature will find its way to other models in the coming years.

What the system does is reminding the driver to check the rear seats by using a series of honks as the driver is walking away.

Once the system is activated, it will monitor the rear door to detect its open/close status prior to and after the drive. If it senses that it was opened-closed before a trip and yet no re-opened after the trip, the honking will start. Elegant solution, yes?

So whether it is a bag, an Italian savoury dish, or child, it is hoped that nothing and no one is accidentally left behind again.