Driveways are dangerous places for children – they are designed to allow vehicles access to and from a property and therefore present the same hazards as roads. Children’s unpredictability, their inquisitive nature and the fact that they are surprisingly quick and mobile, places them at increased risk around driveways.
On average, every year 7 children aged 0-14 years are killed and 60 are seriously injured due to driveway run over incidents in Australia.
Most driveway run overs occur in the driveway of the child’s own home, or in a friend or relative’s driveway. The driver is usually a parent, relative or family friend. In 85% of cases, the driver does not know that a child is close to the vehicle; they think they are being looked after elsewhere.
All cars have a blind spot – some up to more than 15 meters behind the vehicle – which can make it difficult to see a child. This means that any car can be involved in a driveway run over, not just larger vehicles such as four wheel drives, vans and trucks.
To assist in making your driveway Kidsafe ensure that you SUPERVISE, SEPARATE & SEE. For more information, please view Kidsafe’s driveway safety video and resources below.
Don’t Go if you Don’t Know
