DRIVEWAY SAFETY

Tragically one child is accidentally run over in their own driveway every week in Australia.

Four Wheel Drive vehicles are not the only vehicle involved, with many popular family sedans also having extensive blind spots. For a copy of the Reversing Visibility Index Tables to see how your vehicle rates visit www.sgio.com.au/reversing

Young children are naturally inquisitive and want to see what is going on. They move surprisingly fast and can run into the path of a moving vehicle without warning.

• In the time it takes for the driver to say goodbye and start the car, a child can move from a ‘safe’ position onto the driveway and into the path of the vehicle.
• Small children, particularly toddlers, can be impossible to see from inside a car, especially if they are directly behind it.
• Most drivers are aware of their car’s ‘blind spots’ however the rear vision of a number of popular cars has been tested and results show that there is in fact a large ‘blind space’ behind most cars, particularly when reversing.
• Even if your car has parking sensors or a video camera fitted, you may not notice a small child until it is too late to stop.

Safety Steps to prevent driveway run overs:

Always supervise your children and do not let them play around cars. When near cars hold their hand or hold them close to keep them safe.

• Don’t let your children use the driveway as a play area; create safe play areas for your children.
• If you are the only adult at home and need to move a vehicle, even only a small distance, place your child securely in the vehicle with you while you move it.
• Make access to the driveway from the house difficult for young children, by using security doors, fencing or gates.
• Drivers should walk around their vehicle before moving it, especially where children may have been.
• Children learn mostly by observation and imitation. Examples set by parents can have effects on their behaviour.
• The Smart Steps program recommends having a Safety Spot where children are to always stand with a parent/guardian when cars are moving.