System and method of vehicle passenger detection for rear seating rows

A method comprising:

• monitoring a control located in a rear row of a vehicle to detect actuation thereof;
• calculating a control activity value based at least in part upon a number of actuations of the control;
• detecting sound in the rear row;
• determining occupancy of the rear row based upon the control activity value and the sound detected in the rear row;
• monitoring a passenger safety device;
• and
• generating an alert if the rear row is occupied and the monitoring indicates that the passenger safety device is not properly used.

A method for alerting an occupant of a vehicle when a passenger safety device in a rear row is not properly used, the method comprising:

• monitoring at least one control located in the rear row;
• calculating a control activity value based at least in part upon a number of actuations of the at least one control;
• sensing sound in the rear row;
• calculating a voice output value indicating whether or not the sensed sounds include human speech;
• considering the control activity value and the voice output value in combination to determine whether a passenger is present in the rear row;
• monitoring a status of the passenger safety device to determine if it is properly used;
• and
• alerting the occupant if the passenger is present and the passenger safety device is not properly used.