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(Washington-AP) -- Consumer activists are on a campaign to make power windows safer for little passengers.
The groups Kids and Cars, Public Citizen and others want cars to have window switches that are harder for kids to hit by accident. And, they want the windows to automatically stop if something gets caught in them.
The head of Kids and Cars says automakers can keep kids from being killed or hurt -- but "choose not to."
The group says at least 23 people have died after getting a hand or head stuck in power windows.
A spokesman says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is studying the problem and plans to release preliminary data on deaths this fall.
General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler A-G say they have safety features in place -- including driver-operated lockout switches on all vehicles that keep kids from using windows in the back seat.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
