Low Speed Vehicle Runover Prevention Strategy

Kidsafe Victoria’s Low Speed Vehicle Runover Prevention Strategy is a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing the number of childhood deaths and serious injuries caused by low-speed vehicle runovers in Victoria. This initiative focuses on enhancing vehicle and property safety, increasing public awareness, and promoting safer community practices.

Why this strategy is important

Low-speed vehicle runovers have been a significant health issue in Australia since the 1990s, leading to devastating impacts on families and communities. On average, 41 children aged 0-14 years are killed or seriously injured each year in Victoria due to these incidents. This strategy is designed to address these tragedies through improved safety measures and community engagement.

Key focus areas

  1. Vehicle safety
    • Encourage the development and adoption of affordable retrofitting of key safety technologies.
    • Collaborate with the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and Used Car Safety Ratings (UCSR) to create a safe family car category.

  1. Property design
    • Develop guidelines to improve driveway designs, integrating these into planning permits.
    • Promote the uptake of driveway safety practices within the Victorian community.

  1. Public education
    • Update and implement public education campaigns to raise awareness about LSVRO risks and safety measures.
    • Establish ongoing communication channels to reach parents and carers effectively.

  1. Data collection and reporting
    • Conduct regular research and reporting to monitor progress and inform future strategies.

Outcomes and impact

  • Decrease in child fatalities and serious injuries due to LSVRO incidents.
  • Increased awareness and understanding of LSVRO risks among the community.
  • Enhanced safety standards and practices in the vehicle and property industries.
  • Improved safety behaviors among parents, carers, and the community.

Get involved

Your feedback is crucial in shaping the effectiveness of this strategy. We invite you to participate in our public consultation survey and share your thoughts and suggestions. Together, we can create a safer environment for our children.

Thank you for your commitment to making our community safer for children.

The development of the strategy was supported by the TAC Road Safety Grant Program